Describe the boundaries of fossa of Rosenmuller. What is its clinical importance?
Also known as lateral pharyngeal recess
It is a lateral extension of the nasopharynx lying above and behind the medial end of the Eustachian tube.
By adult life it is 1.5-2.5 cm deep and is cleft like
It is situated in the corners b/w the lateral and dorsal walls .
Its apex reaches the anterior margin of the carotid canal and its base opens into the nasopharynx at a point below the foramen lacerum medially.
The anatomical relationship of the fossa of Rosen muller are
Anteriorly : ET and levator palatini
Posteriorly : Pharyngeal wall mucosa overlying the pharyngobasilar fascia and retropharyngeal space containing the lateral retropharyngeal node of Rouviere. If the NPC penetrates the pharyngobasilar fascia, it invades the parapharyngeal space and can involve the foramen ovale, the foremen spinosum the greater wing of the sphenoid and retrosigmoid compartment which contain of carotid sheath the last four C.N and the sympathetic trunks.
Medially : Nasopharyngeal cavity
Superiorly : Foramen lacemen and floor of cacotid canal.
Posterolateral(apex): carotid canal opening and petrous apex posteriorly foramen ovale and spinosum laterally.
Laterally: tensor palatini, Mandibular Nerve, Pre styloid compartment of parapharyngeal space.
The fossa from the medial border of the most superior part parapharyngeal space.
As the superior constrictor does not reach the base of the skull, a lateral gap is there and is called the sinus of morgagni.
Epithelial lining of the nasopharynx: surface area ∼ 50 cm² in adult. Squamous metaplasia occur in postnatal life and is completed by 10 years of age.
Protection