pterygoid canal pterygoid canal the pterygoid canal (also vidian canal) is a passage in the sphenoid bone of the skull leading from just anterior to the foramen lacerum in the middle cranial fossa to the pterygopalatine fossa. pterygoid canalbase of skull. inferior surface. (sphenoid is yellow.)sphenoid bone. anterior and inferior surfaces. (pterygoid c. labeled at center left.)detailsarteryartery of the pterygoid canalnervenerve of pterygoid canalidentifierslatincanalis pterygoideusta98a02.1.05.053ta2639fma54756anatomical terminology structure the pterygoid canal runs through the medial pterygoid plate of the sphenoid bone to the back wall of the pterygopalatine fossa. contents it transmits the nerve of pterygoid canal, (vidian nerve), the artery of the pterygoid canal (vidian artery), and the vein of the pterygoid canal (vidian vein). additional images medial wall of left orbit.