Table 4 The correlation between key anatomic structure and other anatomic structures along the same pathway

Anterior extension

Posterior Nasal cavity

Pterygoid process

Pterygopalatine fossa

Foramen rotundum

Cavernous sinus

Orbit

Inferior orbital fissure

0.000*

0.031*

0.000*

0.000*

0.012*

0.232

Posterior Nasal cavity

Pterygoid process

Pterygopalatine fossa

Inferior orbital fissure

Cavernous sinus

Orbit

Foramen rotundum

0.001*

0.012*

0.000*

0.000*

0.026*

0.308

Posterior Nasal cavity

Pterygoid process

Foramen rotundum

Inferior orbital fissure

Cavernous sinus

Orbit

Pterygopalatine fossa

0.000*

0.000*

0.000*

0.000*

0.238

0.737

Posterior Nasal cavity

Sphenoid sinus

Anterior ethmoid sinus

Posterior ethmoid sinus

0.001*

0.012*

0.000*

Superior extension

Bottom of sphenoid sinus

Clivus

Petrous apex

Cavernous sinus

Foramen lacerum

0.001*

0.000*

0.008*

0.875

Lateral extension

Levator veli palatine muscle

Tensor veli palatine muscle

Parapharyngeal Space

Medial pterygoid muscle

Cavernous sinus

Foramen ovale

0.562

0.136

0.547

0.031*

0.026*

Levator veli palatine muscle

Tensor veli palatine muscle

Retropharyngeal lymph node

Parapharyngeal Space

Jugular Foramen

0.031*

0.058

0.001*

0.000*

Medial pterygoid muscle

Pterygoid process

Lateral pterygoid muscle

0.003*

0.075

Posterior extension

Prevertebral muscle

Clivus

Jugular Foramen

Hypoglossal canal

0.105

0.000*

0.000*