Vomerovaginal canal
Canalis vomerovaginalis
Definition
The vomerovaginal canal is a bony canal which is directed anteroposterior and connects the pterygopalatine fossa with the nasopharynx. It is formed when the upper surface of the vaginal process of the medial pterygoid plate of sphenoid bone, meets with the ala of the vomer that extends laterally and comes to lie over the vaginal process.
Similar to the palatovaginal canal, the vomerovaginal canal transmits pharyngeal nerve branches from the pterygopalatine ganglion and a pharyngeal arterial branch of the third part of the maxillary artery.
References
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Text written by Muhammad A. Javaid, MD, PhD © 2024 IMAIOS.
Meng, Q., Lu, Y., Shi, Li and Lei, Yi. (2015). Simultaneous observation and discrimination of palatovaginal and vomerovaginal canals by transverse CT. Int. J Clin Exp Med. 8(9): 15601-15610.
Meng, Q-G., Lu, Y-T., Wang, C-X, Tan, S-P. and Wei, M-H. (2019). Visualization of the vomerovaginal canal during endonasal transpterygoid approaches and CT imaging diagnosis. J Anat. 235(2): 246-255.
Standring, S. (2016). ‘Chapter 32: Infratemporal and pterygopalatine fossae and temporomandibular joint’ in Gray’s anatomy: the anatomical basis of clinical practice. (41st ed.) New York NY: Elsevier, pp. 536, pp. 554, pp. 559 & Fig. 33.5.
