Pterygospinous and pterygoalar foramina: A role in the etiology of trigeminal neuralgia?

The pterygospinous and pterygoalar foramina are illustrated photographically. To confirm the incidence of the foramina 454 skulls from various racial groups were examined. A survey of the literature shows that the pterygospinous foramen is present in about 10% of individuals and the pterygoalar foramen in about 1%. The possibility that either foramen may trap, compress, or cause traction of anomalous cutaneous branches of the mandibular division of the trigeminal nerve, or occlude blood vessels supplying the trigeminal ganglion is discussed in relation to trigeminal neuralgia. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.