The final step is to expose the pterygopalatine ganglion and the contents of the palatine canal.
This dissection shows the
torus tubarius, palate and maxillary sinus for orientation. By carefully chiseling
the vertical plate of
the palatine bone, you will expose the pterygopalatine ganglion as well as
the descending palatine artery and greater and lesser palatine nerves. Finally,
expose the nerve of the pterygoid canal and the maxillary nerve (7).
Here is another dissection of this area with the
inferior concha and palate labeled for orientation. The pterygopalatine ganglion (1), greater
palatine nerve (2), lesser palatine nerve (3) and part of the descending palatine artery (4)
are seen.
