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The pterygoid hamulus is a hook-like process at the lower extremity of the medial pterygoid plate of the sphenoid bone of the skull. The tensor veli palatini muscle wraps around the hamulus, and its tendon glides around it. The pterygoid hamulus acts as a pulley for the tensor veli palatini muscle, creating a contractile force and redirecting the pull of the muscle. The tensor veli palatini muscle is the only muscle of the soft palate that is not innervated by the pharyngeal plexus. It is innervated by the mandibular division of the trigeminal nerve instead. This muscle also opens the auditory tube during swallowing or yawning, equalizing pressure between the middle ear and the nasopharynx.
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What You'll Learn
- The tensor veli palatini muscle wraps around the pterygoid hamulus
- The pterygoid hamulus is a small hook-shaped bone
- The pterygoid hamulus is part of the sphenoid bone of the skull
- The pterygoid hamulus is the origin of the levator veli palatini muscle
- The pterygoid hamulus is related to the lateral pharyngeal wall
The tensor veli palatini muscle wraps around the pterygoid hamulus
The tensor veli palatini muscle is a thin, slender, and triangular muscle of the head. It is one of the five paired muscles of the soft palate, which is the muscular core of the posterior third of the palate. The tensor veli palatini muscle is situated in the pterygoid fossa of the skull, between the lateral and medial pterygoid plates. It is related to the proximal part of the medial pterygoid muscle near its origin point.
The tensor veli palatini muscle has several sites of origin. Anterior attachment stems from the scaphoid fossa of the pterygoid process of the sphenoid bone, while the posterior attachment originates from the medial aspect of the spine of the sphenoid bone. Between these two origin sites, the muscle attaches to the anterolateral membranous part and the lateral lamina of the cartilaginous part of the auditory tube. The muscle fibres converge inferiorly onto a tendon that courses around the medial side of the pterygoid hamulus of the sphenoid bone.
The tensor veli palatini muscle has several important relations to neurovascular structures of the head. In the infratemporal fossa, the lateral surface of the tensor veli palatini is related to the middle meningeal and accessory meningeal arteries, as well as the mandibular, auriculotemporal, and chorda tympani nerves. Additionally, the tensor veli palatini separates the otic ganglion from the cartilaginous part of the auditory tube.
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The pterygoid hamulus is a small hook-shaped bone
The pterygoid hamulus is located at the lower extremity of the medial pterygoid plate, forming the posterolateral, basal corner. It is a curved and slender structure, with a small hook-shaped process. The pterygoid hamulus has two important functions: the tensor veli palatini tendon passes immediately behind it, and it serves as the superior attachment of the pterygomandibular raphe. The tensor veli palatini muscle wraps around the pterygoid hamulus, altering its course and inserting into the palatine aponeurosis.
The pterygoid hamulus is also the origin of the levator veli palatini muscle. This muscle has been observed to split around the hamulus of the medial pterygoid plate and attach to the periosteum. The levator veli palatini muscle is smaller in adults with a repaired cleft palate compared to those without. Additionally, the pterygoid hamulus supports several other structures, including the pterygomandibular ligament, the upper part of the pterygopharyngeal sphincter muscle, and the buccinator muscle.
In some rare cases, the pterygoid hamulus may be enlarged, which can cause mouth pain. This enlargement is associated with a condition known as PH syndrome, which involves the inflammation of the bursa, or pterygoid hamular bursitis. This condition impacts the adjacent soft tissues and can be misdiagnosed due to the presence of overlapping anatomical structures in a confined area.
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The pterygoid hamulus is part of the sphenoid bone of the skull
The pterygoid hamulus is a small, hook-like process at the lower extremity of the medial pterygoid plate of the sphenoid bone of the skull. It has a rounded tip and an average length of 7.2 mm, an average depth of 1.4 mm, and an average width of 2.3 mm. The pterygoid hamulus is a curved, slender bony protrusion that extends downward and then turns laterally. It is located at the base of the skull, in the middle towards the front, in front of the basilar part of the occipital bone.
The sphenoid bone is one of the seven bones that articulate to form the orbit, and its shape resembles a butterfly, bat, or wasp with its wings extended. The name "sphenoid" comes from the Ancient Greek "sphekodes", meaning "wasp-like". In humans, the sphenoid bone is homologous with several bones that are often separate in other animals, including the pterygoid bones, epipterygoid bones, parasphenoid bone, sphenethmoid bone, and basisphenoid bone. These bones form part of the flexible joint between the braincase and the palatal region, protecting the olfactory nerves and forming part of the floor of the braincase.
The pterygoid hamulus specifically is part of the medial pterygoid plate of the sphenoid bone. It is the superior origin of the pterygomandibular raphe, and the tensor veli palatini muscle courses around it before inserting into the palatine aponeurosis. The tendon of the tensor veli palatini muscle glides around the pterygoid hamulus, and it is also the origin of the levator veli palatini muscle.
The pterygoid hamulus is important in medicine due to its functional relation with surrounding anatomical structures. For example, in cleft palate repair, the pterygoid hamuli are routinely fractured to release the tensor palate. In patients with OSAHS, a novel technique called lateral pharyngoplasty involves detaching the palatopharyngeus muscle from its insertions and suturing it at the height of the pterygoid hamulus to transform it into a 'good' muscle.
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The pterygoid hamulus is the origin of the levator veli palatini muscle
The pterygoid hamulus is a hook-like process at the lower extremity of the medial pterygoid plate of the sphenoid bone of the skull. It has an average length of 7.2 mm, an average depth of 1.4 mm, and an average width of 2.3 mm. The pterygoid hamulus is the origin of the levator veli palatini muscle.
The levator veli palatini muscle acts to elevate the soft palate during swallowing and vocalization. The action of the levator veli palatini muscle can be observed during an endoscopic examination of the upper airway when the gag reflex is stimulated. A "sling" forms within the nasopharynx as the nasopharynx contracts into a sphincter. The tensor veli palatini muscle is a flat, slender, and triangular muscle that travels with the levator veli palatini muscle along the lateral walls of the nasopharynx and the lateral lamina of the guttural pouch. Its tendon is reflected around the hamulus of the pterygoid bone, where it is lubricated by a bursa. The tendon then ramifies in the palatine aponeurosis.
The tensor veli palatini muscle tenses the soft palate and opens the Eustachian tube to equalize pressure in the middle ear. The tensor veli palatini has several sites of origin. The anterior attachment stems from the scaphoid fossa of the pterygoid process of the sphenoid bone. The posterior attachment originates from the medial aspect of the spine of the sphenoid bone. The pterygoid hamulus acts as a pulley or trochlea for the tensor veli palatini muscle. It is important in creating the contractile force of the muscle, as well as horizontally redirecting the pull of the muscle.
The tensor veli palatini and levator veli palatini muscles work together to elevate the palate and prevent food from entering the nasopharynx during swallowing. The tensor veli palatini muscle is also involved in equalizing pressure in the middle ear during swallowing or yawning. The morphology of the levator veli palatini muscle may vary in individuals with palatal anomalies, such as a cleft palate.
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The pterygoid hamulus is related to the lateral pharyngeal wall
The pterygoid hamulus is a hook-like bony structure located at the lower extremity of the medial pterygoid plate of the sphenoid bone in the skull. It has an average length of 7.2 mm, a depth of 1.4 mm, and a width of 2.3 mm. This structure plays a crucial role in the function and stability of the lateral pharyngeal wall and its associated structures.
The tensor veli palatini muscle, also known as the tensor palatini, wraps around the pterygoid hamulus before inserting into the palatine aponeurosis. This muscle is part of the muscular core of the soft palate, along with the levator palatini, musculus uvuli, palatoglossus, and palatopharyngeus muscles. The tensor veli palatini muscle's tendon glides around the pterygoid hamulus, contributing to the dynamic movement of the palate and pharynx.
The pterygoid hamulus also serves as the superior origin of the pterygomandibular raphe, a fibrous structure that provides support and stability to the lateral pharyngeal wall. The pterygomandibular raphe attaches to the lateral pterygoid muscle, which is responsible for the lateral movement of the mandible during jaw functions such as chewing and speaking.
Additionally, the pterygoid hamulus is involved in the attachment and function of the superior pharyngeal constrictor muscle. This muscle is a part of the pharyngeal constrictor muscle group, which plays a crucial role in swallowing by propelling food from the pharynx into the oesophagus. The superior pharyngeal constrictor muscle attaches to the inferior end of the medial pterygoid plate, where the pterygoid hamulus is located.
In rare cases, the pterygoid hamulus may be affected by a condition called pterygoid hamulus elongation syndrome, which can cause pain in the soft palate and pharynx. This syndrome is often managed through surgical resection of the pterygoid hamulus or, in some cases, conservative treatments.
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Frequently asked questions
The hamulus is a small hook-shaped bone. It is also known as the unciform bone.
The hamulus is located on the palmar surface. It is a projection on the palmar surface of the hamate, a wedge-shaped carpal bone.
The tensor veli palatini muscle is associated with the hamulus. It is a slender, triangular muscle situated in the pterygoid fossa of the skull. The levator veli palatini muscle is also associated with the hamulus.
