Morphometric characterization of the pterygomaxillary junction: an anatomical study

Year 2025, Volume: 16 Issue: 56, 143 - 147, 16.12.2025

Nazire Kılıç Şafak , Gamze Taşkın Şenol

https://doi.org/10.17944/interdiscip.1695139

Abstract

Objective: The pterygomaxillary junction (PMJ) is a triangular cleft between the maxilla and pterygoid process of the sphenoid bone, serving as a transition point between the infratemporal and pterygopalatine fossae. The terminal branches of the maxillary artery pass through this region to reach the pterygopalatine fossa. The aim of this study was to investigate the morphometric characteristics of the PMJ.
Method: Forty human skulls of unknown sex and age from the Çukurova and Bolu Abant İzzet Baysal University Departments of Anatomy were examined. After identifying the PMJ type (fissure or synostosis), the PMJ width and height, and maxillary tuberosity height were measured using a caliper. The data were then statistically analyzed.
Results: Fissure-type bilateral PMJ was observed in 92.5% of 40 cases and bilateral synostosis in 7.5%. The mean PMJ height was 16.58 mm, the mean width was 5.02 mm, height of the posterior maxilla was 21.27 mm, and the average maxillary tuberosity height was 5.19 mm. No statistically significant differences were found between the right- and left-sided measurements (p > 0.05).
Conclusion: The findings of this study contribute to our understanding of the PMJ. Detailed knowledge of this region is clinically important, particularly in procedures such as Le Fort I osteotomy, due to its proximity to the maxillary artery and the risk of excessive bleeding.

Keywords

Le Fort , maxilla , osteotomy

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