Lundy Jason A., McNary Thomas
Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine
The pterygopalatine ganglion (PPG) is one of four parasympathetic ganglia located within the head region, existing as a bilateral pair. The pterygopalatine ganglion may also be referred to as the sphenopalatine ganglion, Meckel's ganglion, or the nasal ganglion. The pterygopalatine ganglion is responsible for housing the post-ganglionic parasympathetic neuronal cell bodies, in addition to acting as a conduit for post-ganglionic sympathetic and sensory axonal fibers. The fibers that arise from the pterygopalatine ganglion regulate secretomotor functions to and provide sensation from various structures that include: the lacrimal glands, the mucous membranes of the oropharynx, nasopharynx, nasal cavity, and upper portion of the oral cavity. The fibers from the pterygopalatine ganglion are also responsible for providing innervation to the cerebral and meningeal blood vessels. The pterygopalatine ganglion is a structure that is morphologically formed during the third trimester of fetal life, with its neurons derived from Schwann cell precursors. A group of headache disorders referred to as trigeminal autonomic cephalalgias (TACs), which include cluster headaches, are thought to be influenced by the pterygopalatine ganglion. There is strong evidence to support the usage of pterygopalatine ganglion blockade, radiofrequency ablation, or neurostimulation of the pterygopalatine ganglion to relieve cluster headaches. The utilization of pterygopalatine ganglion blockade for the treatment of migraines, trigeminal neuralgia, and other conditions has also demonstrated varying degrees of success.
翼腭神经节（PPG）是位于头部区域的四个副交感神经节之一，呈双侧对称分布。翼腭神经节也可称为蝶腭神经节、梅克尔神经节或鼻神经节。翼腭神经节除了作为节后交感神经和感觉轴突纤维的传导通道外，还负责容纳节后副交感神经神经元细胞体。来自翼腭神经节的纤维调节包括泪腺、口咽、鼻咽、鼻腔和口腔上部黏膜等各种结构的分泌运动功能，并提供感觉。来自翼腭神经节的纤维还负责为脑和脑膜血管提供神经支配。翼腭神经节是在胎儿期第三个月形态形成的结构，其神经元来源于雪旺细胞前体。一组被称为三叉神经自主性头痛（TACs）的头痛疾病，包括丛集性头痛，被认为受翼腭神经节影响。有强有力的证据支持使用翼腭神经节阻滞、射频消融或翼腭神经节神经刺激来缓解丛集性头痛。使用翼腭神经节阻滞治疗偏头痛、三叉神经痛和其他病症也已显示出不同程度的成功。
