The pterygopalatine ganglion is the largest peripheral ganglion located in the pterygopalatine fossa. It receives preganglionic parasympathetic fibers from the facial nerve via the greater petrosal nerve and postganglionic sympathetic fibers from the internal carotid plexus via the deep petrosal nerve. The ganglion gives off branches that innervate glands and blood vessels in the head and neck region, including the lacrimal gland, nasal mucosa, palatine mucosa, and pharyngeal mucosa.

1. MAXILLARY
NERVE

2. PTERYGO-PALATINE
GANGLION

6. INTRODUCTION
• Largest peripheral ganglion
• Lies in deepest part of Pterygo-palatine fossa.
• Topographically : Maxillary nerve
• Functionally : Greater petrosal branch of facial
nerve

7. SITUATION
• Lateral to the Spheno-palatine Foramen
• Below Maxillary nerve
• In front of Pterygoid canal.
• Medially : Pharyngeal artery
• Laterally : Pterygoid canal

8. CONNECTIONS

9. PARA-SYMPATHETIC / MOTOR ROOT
• Derived from the nerve of Pterygoid canal
• Pre-ganglionic fibres – Lacrimatory nucleus
• Nervous Intermedius
• Trunk and geniculate ganglion of Facial nerve
• Greater Petrosal nerve
• Nerve of Pterygoid canal
• Relay

10. PARA-SYMPATHETIC / MOTOR ROOT
• Pre-ganglionic fibres – supply
– Lacrimal gland
– Nasal glands
– Palatine glands
– Pharyngeal glands

11. SYMPATHETIC ROOT
• Sympathetic plexus of nerves around ICA
• Deep Petrosal nerve
• Carry post ganglionic fibres from Superior
cervical ganglion of ST
• Deep Petrosal nerve joins Greater Petrosal
nerve
• Nerve of Pterygoid canal

12. SYMPATHETIC ROOT
• Fibres of Deep Petrosal nerve pass uninterrupted
through the ganglion
• Supply Vasomotor fibres to mucous membrane
of :
– Nose
– Naso-pharynx
– Palate

13. SENSORY ROOT
• Derived from Maxillary nerve arising from
Trigeminal ganglion
• Fibres pass uninterrupted through the ganglion

15. BRANCHES
• The distributing branches of ganglion are the
ganglionic branches of Maxillary nerve
• These fibres have passed through the ganglion
without relay.

16. BRANCHES
• Ganglion gives four sets of branches :
– Orbital
– Palatine
– Nasal
– Pharyngeal
• Each branch carries a mixture of sensory,
sympathetic and para-sympathetic fibres.

18. ORBITAL BRANCHES
• Enters through Inferior orbital fissure
• Supply :
1. Periosteum of orbit
2. Orbitalis
3. Mucous membrane of Sphenoidal and
Posterior Ethmoidal air sinuses.

20. GREATER PALATINE BRANCH
• Greater / Anterior palatine branch : passes
through Greater Palatine foramen.
• Supplies :
– Mucous membrane of hard palate and adjoining
gum
• Gives Posterior Inferior Nasal branch :
– Mucous membrane of postero-inferior quadrant
of lateral wall of nasal cavity

22. LESSER PALATINE BRANCH
• Greater / Anterior palatine branch : passes
through Greater Palatine foramen.
• Supplies :
– Mucous membrane of hard palate and adjoining
gum
• Gives Posterior Inferior Nasal branch :
– Mucous membrane of postero-inferior quadrant
of lateral wall of nasal cavity

24. NASAL BRANCH
• Greater / Anterior palatine branch : passes
through Greater Palatine foramen.
• Supplies :
– Mucous membrane of hard palate and adjoining
gum
• Gives Posterior Inferior Nasal branch :
– Mucous membrane of postero-inferior quadrant
of lateral wall of nasal cavity

27. PHARYNGEAL BRANCH
• Passes backwards through Palatino-vaginal
canal
• Supplies :
– Mucous membrane of naso-pharynx behind
auditory tube

28. APPLIED ANATOMY
1. Ganglion of Hay fever – R.J Last
2. Injection of alcohol – intractable cases of
allergic rhinitis
3. Brain freeze / Ice cream headache – cranial
pain / headache