# Pterygoid plexus

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{{Infobox vein
| Name        = Pterygoid plexus
| Latin       = plexus venosus pterygoideus, <br>plexus pterygoideus
| Image       = Gray AnatomyOfHumanBody1918-P644 Figure557.jpg
| Caption     = Veins of the head and neck.
| Image2      =
| Caption2    =
| DrainsFrom  =
| DrainsTo    = [Maxillary vein](/source/Maxillary_vein)
| Artery      = [Maxillary artery](/source/Maxillary_artery)
}}
The '''pterygoid plexus''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|t|ɛ|r|ɪ|g|ɔɪ|d}};<ref>[http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pterygoid Entry "pterygoid"] in ''[http://www.merriam-webster.com/ Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary]''.</ref> from [Greek](/source/Ancient_Greek) ''pteryx'', "wing" and ''eidos'', "shape") is a fine [venous plexus](/source/venous_plexus) upon and within the [lateral pterygoid muscle](/source/lateral_pterygoid_muscle). It drains by a short [maxillary vein](/source/maxillary_vein).'''<ref name=":0223">{{Cite book |last=Sinnatamby |first=Chummy S. |title=Last's Anatomy |vauthors= |publisher= |year=2011 |isbn=978-0-7295-3752-0 |edition=12th |pages=364}}</ref>'''

== Anatomy ==
It is a [venous plexus](/source/venous_plexus) of considerable size, situated between the [temporalis muscle](/source/temporalis_muscle) and [lateral pterygoid muscle](/source/lateral_pterygoid_muscle), and partly between the two pterygoid muscles.{{Citation needed|date=July 2023}}

The plexus features [venous valves](/source/Venous_valve). The contractions of the lateral pterygoid muscle promote venous drainage.'''<ref name=":0223" />'''

=== Tributaries ===
The plexus drains all veins that correspond to the branches of the [maxillary artery](/source/maxillary_artery) (however, much of the blood delivered by the maxillary artery is returned by other routes), as well as two additional veins.'''<ref name=":0223" />'''

It receives the following veins:{{Citation needed|date=July 2023}}
* sphenopalatine
* middle meningeal 
* deep temporal (anterior & posterior)
* pterygoid
* masseteric
* buccinator
* alveolar
* some palatine veins (palatine vein which divides into the greater and lesser palatine v.)
* [inferior ophthalmic vein](/source/inferior_ophthalmic_vein)'''<ref name=":0223" />'''
* [deep facial vein](/source/deep_facial_vein)'''<ref name=":0223" />'''
* [infraorbital vein](/source/infraorbital_vein)

=== Anastomoses ===
The plexus is connected with the intercranial [cavernous sinus](/source/cavernous_sinus) by [emissary veins](/source/emissary_veins) passing through the [foramen ovale](/source/Foramen_ovale_(skull)) and [foramen lacerum](/source/foramen_lacerum).'''<ref name=":0223" />'''

=== Relations ===
This plexus communicates freely with the [anterior facial vein](/source/anterior_facial_vein); it also communicates with the [cavernous sinus](/source/cavernous_sinus), by branches through the [foramen Vesalii](/source/foramen_Vesalii), [foramen ovale](/source/Foramen_ovale_(skull)), and [foramen lacerum](/source/foramen_lacerum).  Due to its communication with the cavernous sinus, infection of the superficial face may spread to the cavernous sinus, causing [cavernous sinus thrombosis](/source/cavernous_sinus_thrombosis).  Complications may include edema of the eyelids, conjunctivae of the eyes, and subsequent paralysis of cranial nerves which course through the cavernous sinus.{{Citation needed|date=July 2023}}

The pterygoid plexus of veins becomes the [maxillary vein](/source/maxillary_vein).  The maxillary vein and the [superficial temporal vein](/source/superficial_temporal_vein) later join to become the [retromandibular vein](/source/retromandibular_vein).  The posterior branch of the retromandibular vein and [posterior auricular vein](/source/posterior_auricular_vein) then form the [external jugular vein](/source/external_jugular_vein), which empties into the [subclavian vein](/source/subclavian_vein).{{Citation needed|date=July 2023}}

==References==
{{Gray's}}
<references/>

==External links==
* {{SUNYAnatomyLabs|27|13|01|00}} - "Infratemporal Fossa: The Pterygoid Plexus of Veins"
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20110722115640/http://jpc.vis.ne.jp/anatomy/tmj2/Fig4.jpg Pterygoid Plexus]

{{VeinsHeadNeck}}
{{Portal bar|Anatomy}}
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Category:Veins of the head and neck

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Pterygoid plexus](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pterygoid_plexus) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pterygoid_plexus?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.