What does the pterygoid venous plexus drain?
The pterygoid plexus is a network of numerous veins that surround the pterygoid segment of the maxillary artery. The pterygoid plexus drains many deep structures of the head, including the palate, nasal cavity, paranasal sinuses, nasopharynx, auditory tube and deep parts of the scalp in the temporal region.
Where does pterygoid plexus drain?
maxillary vein
The plexus itself drains via the short maxillary vein before it forms the retromandibular vein. Emissary veins also anastomose between the plexus and the cavernous sinus, via the foramina ovale and lacerum.
Why is pterygoid plexus important?
The pterygoid plexus functions to return the blood to the heart; this occurs during the movement of the lateral pterygoid, generating a pumping action of the blood back to the heart.
Where is the venous plexus located?
The internal vertebral venous plexus is located beneath the bony elements of the vertebral foramina (laminae, spinous processes, pedicles, and vertebral body). It is embedded in a layer of loose areolar tissue know as the epidural (extradural) adipose tissue.
Where is the pterygoid process?
alisphenoid bone
Two pairs of bony plates, the pterygoid processes, arise from the base of each alisphenoid bone. The outer plates are nearly horizontal in position. They extend from the posterior end of the maxillary bone caudad and laterad to the lateral surface of the tympanic bulla.
What is the venous drainage of the face?
The Internal jugular vein, the anterior jugular vein, and the external jugular vein are responsible for the venous drainage of the face (and of the head and neck in general).
What is pterygoid bone?
The pterygoid is a paired bone forming part of the palate of many vertebrates, behind the palatine bones. It is a flat and thin lamina, united to the medial side of the pterygoid process of the sphenoid bone, and to the perpendicular lamina of the palatine bone.
What does a venous plexus mean?
A venous plexus is a congregation of multiple veins.
Where does the pterygoid venous plexus drain into?
It drains into short maxillary vein (which accompanies first part of maxillary artery) which in turn joins superficial temporal vein to form retromandibular vein (within the parotid gland). What are the connections of Pterygoid Venous Plexus?
How is the plexus related to the pterygoid muscle?
Pterygoid venous plexus. The pterygoid venous plexus is a small intercommunicating cluster of venules that is intimately related to the lateral pterygoid muscle, lying both intramuscularly and around the muscle. The plexus is formed by very small veins that are the venous counterparts to the branches of the maxillary artery.
Where is the venous plexus located in the body?
It is found in the infratemporal fossa, lying partly between temporal and lateral pterygoid muscles, and partly between the lateral and medial pterygoid muscles.
Which is part of the body bypasses the plexus?
The plexus is formed by very small veins that are the venous counterparts to the branches of the maxillary artery. However, most of the blood draining from the tissues supplied by this artery bypasses the plexus, instead passing back to the systemic circulation via the facial, pharyngeal, and diploic veins.