Dissection Summary

Part 1 - Nasopharynx

• • Visualize the boundaries of the nasopharynx.

  • Identify structures of the nasopharynx, specifically:

    • • pharyngeal tonsil

      • pharyngeal opening of pharyngotympanic (auditory) tube

      • torus tubarius

      • salpingopharyngeal arch

Part 2 - Oropharynx

• • Palpate the boundary between hard and soft palates

  • Remove the mucosa inferior to the pharyngeal opening of the pharyngotympanic tube 

    • expose the levator veli palatini m. and tensor veli palatini m

  • Locate the ascending palatine a. posterior to the levator veli palatini m.

  • Locate the palatoglossal and palatopharyngeal arches

  • Locate the tonsillar fossa (bed) and palatine tonsil, if present

  • Remove the mucosa of the palatoglossal and palatopharyngeal arches to uncover the palatoglossus and palatopharyngeus mm

  • Remove the mucosa on the uvula of the soft palate to uncover the fibers of the musculus uvulae m.

  • Pull the root of the tongue anteriorly

  • Locate the glossopharyngeal n. (CN IX) inferior to the tonsillar fossa 

Part 3 - Hard Palate 

• • Carefully pull the mucosa from the hard palate

  • Locate the neurovasculature in this area:

    • • greater palatine a. and n.

      • lesser palatine a. and n.

      • nasopalatine n.

Part 4 - Greater Palatine Canal

• • On one side, follow the greater palatine n. and a. superiorly from the greater palatine foramen

  • Carefully remove any remaining mucosa and muscles posterior to the nasal conchae

  • Open the medial wall of the greater palatine canal 

    • • Remove the bone of the lateral wall of the nasopharynx posterior to the conchae and anterior to the opening of the pharyngotympanic tube

  • Locate neurovasculature associated with this area

    • • greater palatine n.

      • lesser palatine n.

      • descending palatine a.

      • greater palatine a.

      • lesser palatine a

Part 5 - Pterygoid Canal

• • Relocate previously dissected nerves associated with the conchae and nasal meatuses

  • Continue to remove connective tissue superiorly until the sphenoidal sinus is reached

  • Locate the pterygopalatine ganglion

  • Locate the nerve of pterygoid canal and associated artery of pterygoid canal

Part 6 - Mandibular n. and Maxillary a. 

• • On one side only, relocate the mandibular n. (V3) in the infratemporal fossa

  • Continue medially and superiorly to enter the pterygopalatine fossa through the lateral side

  • Locate structures in this area

  • maxillary a. (3rd part) and branches (posterior superior alveolar a.)

  • infra-orbital a.

  • sphenopalatine a.

  •  descending palatine a.

  • maxillary n. and its branches.

Part 7 - Neurovasculature of Maxillary region

• • Reflect the inferior oblique m. from its attachment to the orbital part of the maxilla

    • • Be careful to preserve the infra-orbital neurovasculature deep to the muscle

  • Locate the infra-orbital n. and a. in the infra-orbital groove

  • Portions of the maxilla may need to be removed (chipped away) in order to follow the nerve posteriorly.

  • As the maxilla is removed, locate the superior alveolar brs. and aa