Anatomical variations of the greater palatine canal in cone-beam computed tomography

O Rapado-González; J A Suárez-Quintanilla; María Mercedes Suárez-Cunqueiro

doi:10.1007/s00276-016-1791-x

Anatomical variations of the greater palatine canal in cone-beam computed tomography

Surg Radiol Anat. 2017 Jul;39(7):717-723. doi: 10.1007/s00276-016-1791-x. Epub 2016 Dec 8.

Authors

O Rapado-González¹, J A Suárez-Quintanilla², María Mercedes Suárez-Cunqueiro³

Affiliations

¹ Department of Stomatology, Medicine and Dentistry School, University of Santiago de Compostela, C/Entrerrios S/N 15872, Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
² Department of Anatomy, Medicine and Dentistry School, University of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
³ Department of Stomatology, Medicine and Dentistry School, University of Santiago de Compostela, C/Entrerrios S/N 15872, Santiago de Compostela, Spain. mariamercedes.suarez@usc.es.

PMID: 27933368
DOI: 10.1007/s00276-016-1791-x

Abstract

Purpose: To analyze anatomical variations of the greater palatine canal (GPC) using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) images.

Methods: This study included 110 CBCTs. Axial slices were used to determine the shape of GPC and the number of lesser palatine foramina (LPF). Sagittal slices were used to assess the shape of the GPC and the number of lesser palatine canals (LPCs).

Results: The most prevalent axial and sagittal GPC shapes were oval (46.36%) and hourglass (23.64%). Most GPCs presented one LPF (47.27%) and one LPC (90.91%).

Conclusions: GPC anatomy is highly variable. CBCT is a useful tool for evaluating the anatomical variations of GPC.

Keywords: Anesthesia; Cone-beam computed tomography; Greater palatine canal; Greater palatine foramen; Lesser palatine foramen.

MeSH terms

Anatomic Variation
Cone-Beam Computed Tomography
Female
Humans
Male
Mouth / anatomy & histology*
Mouth / diagnostic imaging
Pterygopalatine Fossa / anatomy & histology*
Pterygopalatine Fossa / diagnostic imaging