Anatomy, Head and Neck, Sphenopalatine Foramen

Excerpt

The sphenopalatine foramen (SPF) represents an opening on the lateral nasal wall that is present at the articulation between the superior aspect of the vertical portion of the palatine bone and the inferior projection of the sphenoid bone. The sphenopalatine foramen connects the nasal cavity to the pterygopalatine fossa of the skull and houses the sphenopalatine artery (SPA) and vein, the posterior superior lateral nasal nerve, and the nasopalatine nerves. Moreover, the sphenopalatine foramen provides an important anatomical landmark for those who perform procedures where knowledge of the sphenopalatine foramen and its contents remains critical, including the creation of a nasoseptal flap for nasal reconstruction or skull base repairs, posterior epistaxis control, and functional endoscopic sinonasal surgery. Herein we discuss the anatomy of the sphenopalatine foramen, including its structure, function, contents, embryology, anatomical variations, and clinical relevance.