The pterygoid plexus connects: posteriorly, via a short maxillary vein, with the retromandibular vein in the neck; and anteriorly, via a deep facial vein, with the facial vein on the face.
The pterygopalatine fossa is an inverted teardrop-shaped space between bones on the lateral side of the skull immediately posterior to the maxilla (Fig. 8.153).