Mastication - LO 8

8. What is the pterygoid venous plexus?

The pterygoid plexus of veins is located around the muscles of mastication and surrounding the 2nd part of the maxillary a. (pterygoid part). These veins are typically large in caliber and obvious during dissection.

This plexus has numerous tributaries, including alveolar brs., buccal, deep temporal, greater palatine, masseteric, middle meningeal, and sphenopalatine.

The pterygoid plexus of veins communicates with three adjacent regions through common venous routes for spread of infectious materials, including:

• • Cavernous sinus

    • Via small veins that pass through the foramen lacerum and ovale, as well as emissary foramina

  • Face through the facial v.

    • Via the deep facial v.

  • Orbit

    • Via the inferior ophthalmic v.