Variations of the Lateral Recesses of the Nasopharynx

THE LATERAL pharyngeal recess or fossa of Rosenmuller is described by Drennan¹ as a slit-like space or a narrow, nearly vertical recess of considerable depth. Yoffey² remarks that behind the tubal elevation, the pharyngeal recess extends laterally for a varying distance. The lateral recess is defined by Lederman³ as a lateral extension of the nasopharynx above and behind the eustachian tube and levator palati muscle. He further adds that the lateral recess is extremely variable in size and is scarcely evident in the infant. Mention may also be made of the remarks of Prentiss⁴ and Semenov⁵ on the paucity of the detailed descriptions of the lateral recess, the former putting the depth of the recess at about 1 inch. Thus although some authors mention the variability in size, no unusual pouching which sometimes resembles a diverticulum of the lateral recess appears to have been recognized