As the maxillary division crosses the pterygopalatine fossa, which branches does it give off?

• A. Sphenopalatine / pterygopalatine ganglion, PSA nerve, & zygomatic branches
• B. Infraorbital nerve, MSA nerve, ASA nerve
• C. Zygomatic nerve, orbital nerve, palatine nerves
• D. Nasopalatine nerve, greater palatine nerve, nasopalatine nerve

Answer: (A)

When the maxillary division passes through the pterygopalatine fossa, it is right where the pterygopalatine ganglion sits as its parasympathetic relay. From this region, the division emits branches that go to the nasal cavity and to the palate, and it also gives rise to the zygomatic branches that carry postganglionic fibers to the lacrimal gland. A major nasal path is the sphenopalatine nerve, which travels through the sphenopalatine foramen to innervate the nasal mucosa; this nerve is closely associated with the pterygopalatine ganglion because the ganglion provides several of its fibers.

Additionally, the maxillary division gives off the posterior superior alveolar pathway to supply the molars, and it sends the zygomatic nerve forward, which then divides into zygomaticotemporal and zygomaticofacial branches. These zygomatic branches are important because they act as conduits for parasympathetic fibers to reach the lacrimal gland via a communicating branch to the lacrimal nerve.

So, the branches encountered at this stage include the sphenopalatine nerve with its connection to the pterygopalatine ganglion, the posterior superior alveolar (PSA) pathway to the molars, and the zygomatic branches that route autonomic fibers to the lacrimal gland.