Pterygopalatine Fossa

Contents:
Pterygopalatine ganglion
Maxillary artery
Maxillary nerve
Deep petrosal nerve
Location: Between pterygoid process (sphenoid) and maxillary tuberosity

Pterygoid Canal
Contents:
Nerve, artery and vein of the pterygoid canal. Also known as Vidian nerve, artery and vein.
Location: From medial pterygoid plate of the sphenoid bone to the pterygopalatine fossa.

Nasopalatine Foramen/Incisive Foramen

Contents:
Nasopalatine nerves
Sphenopalatine artery
Location: Behind the incisor teeth on the hard palate of maxilla bone.

Sphenopalatine Foramen
Contents:
Sphenopalatine artery and vein
Nasopalatine nerves
Posterior superior lateral nasal nerve.
Location: Between the nasal cavity and pterygopalatine fossa

Greater Palatine Canal

Contents:
Descending palatine vessels
Greater palatine nerve
Lesser palatine nerve
Location: Starts on inferior aspect of pterygopalatine fossa and opens into the palate.

Superior Orbital Fissure

Contents:
Superior and inferior divisions of the oculomotor nerve (III)
Trochlear nerve (IV)
Lacrimal, frontal and nasociliary divisions of ophthalmic (V1)
Abducens nerve (VI)
Superior and inferior divisions of ophthalmic vein
Sympathetic fibres from cavernous plexus.
“Live Frankly To See Absolutely No Insult.
Location: Between the greater and lesser wings of sphenoid bone.

Inferior Orbital Fissure

Contents:
Zygomatic branch of maxillary (V2)
Ascending branches from pterygopalatine ganglion
Infraorbital vessels
Location: Between the sphenoid and maxilla

Foramen Ovale
Contents:
Mandibular nerve (V3)
Motor root of trigeminal nerve (V)
Accessory meningeal artery
Lesser petrosal nerve
Emissary vein
Anterior trunk of middle meningeal vein
Location: Posterior part of sphenoid bone, posterolateral to foramen rotundum

Foramen Rotundum
Contents:
Maxillary branch (V2) of trigeminal nerve (V)
Location: Found in sphenoid bone between the middle cranial fossa and pterygopalatine
fossa

Foramen Spinosum
Contents:
Middle meningeal artery and vein
Meningeal branch of mandibular nerve (V3)
Location: Anterior to the spine of sphenoid, lateral to foramen ovale.

Optic Canal:
Contents:
Optic nerve (II)
Ophthalmic artery
Location: bound medially by body of sphenoid and laterally by lesser wing of sphenoid