Each of the following open into the pterygopalatine fossa, EXCEPT:
The infraorbital foramen transmits the infraorbital nerve and vessels onto the face. It has no connection with the pterygopalatine fossa. Must know:The pterygopalatine fossa is an irregular space where neurovascular structures course through to the nasal cavity, palate, pharynx, orbit and face. The neurovascular structures enter and exit the fossa through the following boundaries:Anterior boundary: Posterior surface of the maxilla.Posterior boundary: Pterygoid processes and the greater wing of the sphenoid bone, with openings for the following structures:Foramen rotundum for CN V-2.Pterygoid canal for the nerve of the pterygoid canal (Vidian nerve).Pharyngeal (palatovaginal) canal for the pharyngeal branch of CN V-2.Ref: Moon D.A., Foreman K.B., Albeine K.H. (2011). Chapter 22. Pterygopalatine Fossa. In D.A. Moon, K.B. Foreman, K.H. Albeine (Eds),The Big Picture: Gross Anatomy.
Foramen rotundum
Pterygoid canal
Pharyngeal canal
Infraorbital foramen