Pterygomandibular raphe

The pterygomandibular raphe is a tendinous band[2][3] formed by the buccopharyngeal fascia.

[3] Superiorly, it is attached to the pterygoid hamulus of the medial pterygoid plate of the sphenoid bone; inferiorly, it is attached to the posterior end of the mylohyoid line of the mandible.

This common attachment makes the raphe a junction of the oral cavity, oropharynx, and nasopharynx.

It is fairly small, and only an upper triangular portion visible, in around 36% of adults.

[5] The raphe is a landmark for administration of inferior alveolar nerve blocks.

Open mouth, view from front. The pterygomandibular ligaments are marked with arrows. Note that in this mouth the lower wisdom teeth have been removed, slightly changing the shape of the pterygomandibular ligaments that usually curve and attach to the mandible around them.