“Concho-Ethmoidal Point” as Reference to the Sphenopalatine Foramen

Introduction: Endoscopic endonasal approaches have proven to be a useful tool for access and treatment of pathologies located in paramedial regions of the skull base. In the present work we describe the endoscopic endonasal anatomical analysis of the “concho-ethmoidal point” as a superficial reference to the sphenopalatine foramen and its contents.

Objectives: Identify and describe the “concho-ethmoidal point,” as well as the adjacent anatomical elements, from an endoscopic endonasal perspective through a trans-maxillary, transpterygoid approach.

Materials and Methods: Multimodular and sequential endoscopic endonasal approaches were performed in 6 human biological specimens in the Surgical Neuroanatomy Laboratory of the Mexican Faculty of Medicine of the La Salle University. We use a 4K HD endoscopic visualization system, specialized surgical instruments for endoscopic endonasal surgery, and a high-speed drilling system. The anatomical structures were described.

Results: The concho-ethmoidal point is the intersection of the most posterior part of the horizontal insertion of the middle turbinate with the most anterior part of the sphenoidal process, forming the roof of the sphenopalatine foramen.

Conclusion: The concho-ethmoidal point is a constant anatomical structure that is easy to identify from an endonasal perspective and serves as a direct guide to the sphenopalatine foramen and its neurovascular content.

Publication History

Article published online:
07 February 2025