An anatomic study using three-dimensional reconstruction for pterygopalatine fossa infiltration via the greater palatine canal

The pterygopalatine fossa (PPF) is accessed via the greater palatine canal (GPC) in an attempt to reduce bleeding during paranasal sinus surgery. This study aims to investigate the anatomy of the greater palatine foramen (GPF), GPC, and the PPF, with reference to PPF infiltration using three-dimensional reconstruction of computer tomographic (CT) scan measurements. The CT scans of 50 patients were retrospectively evaluated. The morphology of the GPF, GPC, and the PPF was assessed in a three-dimensional model. The thickness of the mucosa over the GPF was evaluated in the parasagittal plane. The mean length of the GPC was 13.8 ± 2.0 mm, and the mean height of the PPF was 21.0 ± 3.4 mm. The mean angles of the GPC in relation to the hard palate and the PPF were 67.4° ± 6.9° and 159.8° ± 7.1°, respectively. The GPF was 16.2 ± 1.3 mm lateral to the sagittal plane of the posterior nasal spine (PNS) and 6.1 ± 1.7 mm anterior to the coronal plane of the PNS. The mean volume of the PPF was 1039.9 ± 280.0 mm(3) . The mean thickness of the mucosa overlying the GPF was 10.7 ± 1.8 mm. We recommend that the PNS may be used as the bony landmark to locate the position of the GPF during PPF infiltration. The needle delivering the anesthetic should be bent 25 mm from the tip at a 45° angle, and a 1-ml injection of anesthetic should be administered in adults.     

Anatomical study of the greater palatine artery and related structures of the palatal vault: considerations for palate as the subepithelial connective tissue graft donor site

Palate is considered as a tissue graft donor site for dental surgical procedures. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the anatomy of palatal structures, such as greater palatine artery, greater palatine foramen, and incisive fossa, in order to consider their topography at planning the graft dimensions and reduce the potential risk of injury of greater palatine artery. Direct inspection of 41 Thai cadavers was performed. The results showed the statistically significant differences as for the length of female and male palates (p = 0.017); however, vertical measurements were equally distributed in examined population. Main location of greater palatine foramen was palatal to the second molar (35.7%), as well as, interproximal to the second and third molars (35.7%) in women, and palatal to the second molar in men (65%). GPA was branching most frequently at the level of first premolar (38%) and at first and second molars together (43%) in women. In men, the branching on the alveolar process side was commonly observed at the level of first and second premolars together (56%), and at the level of second and third molars together (32%). In the area between maxillary first premolar and second molar, it appeared possible to harvest a connective tissue graft measuring at least 5 mm in height. The results of this research will provide the useful data for other comparative studies and for assisting periodontologists in planning the dimensions and harvesting the subepithelial connective tissue grafts from palate.     

Clinical anatomy of the posterior maxilla pertaining to Le Fort I osteotomy in Thais

This article studies the anatomy of the posterior maxilla pertaining to bone-cut design of Le Fort I osteotomy to avoid the injury to the descending palatine artery in Thais. Fifty-five skulls (38 males, 17 females) were assessed for the anatomical landmarks by a combination of direct inspection, computerized imaging, and computed tomography scan analysis. The results showed that 27.28% of the pterygomaxillary junction (PMJ) became synostosis. The mean heights of the PMJ, posterior maxilla, and maxillary tuberosity were 15.14 +/- 2.46 mm, 22.51 +/- 3.50 mm, and 7.45 +/- 2.76 mm, respectively. The mean length of the medial sinus wall measuring from the piriform rim to the descending palatine canal at the Le Fort I level was 34.40 +/- 2.96 mm. The mean widths of the posterior incision of Le Fort I osteotomy at the maxillary tuberosity and PMJ were 20.38 +/- 2.82 mm and 11.60 +/- 1.57 mm. The mean length of the posterior maxilla was 27.18 +/- 2.49 mm. Distances from the greater palatine foramen to the maxillary tuberosity incision and PMJ incision were 1.76 +/- 1.12 mm and 3.59 +/- 1.40 mm. The mean angle between the descending palatine canal and the hard palate was 57.33 +/- 4.54 degrees . There were no significant differences in any measurements between sides and genders, except the pterygoid process width and posterior maxilla length of males were longer than those of females (P < 0.05). This study could provide better understanding of the posterior maxillary anatomy that is important for the bone-cut design of Le Fort I osteotomy to avoid excessive intraoperative and postoperative hemorrhage including ischemia of the mobilized maxilla.     

Anatomical landmarks for the localization of the greater palatine foramen – a study of 1200 head CTs, 150 dry skulls,systematic review of literature and meta‐analysis

Accurate knowledge of greater palatine foramen (GPF) anatomy is necessary when performing a variety of anaesthesiological, dental or surgical procedures. The first aim of this study was to localize the GPF in relation to multiple anatomical landmarks. The second aim was to perform a systematic review of literature, and to conduct a meta‐analysis on the subject of GPF position to aid clinicians in their practice. One‐hundred and fifty dry, adult, human skulls and 1200 archived head computed tomography scans were assessed and measured in terms of GPF relation to other anatomical reference points. A systematic literature search was performed using the PubMed, Embase and Web of Science databases, and a meta‐analysis on the subject of GPF relation to the maxillary molars was conducted. On average, in the Polish population, the GPF was positioned 15.9 ± 1.5 mm from the midline maxillary suture (MMS), 3.0 ± 1.2 mm from the alveolar ridge (AR) and 17.0 ± 1.5 mm from the posterior nasal spine (PNS); 74.7% of GPF were positioned opposite the third maxillary molar (M3). Twenty‐seven studies were included in the systematic review and 23 in the meta‐analysis (n = 6927 GPF). The pooled prevalence of the GPF being positioned opposite the M3 was 63.9% (95% confidence interval = 56.6–70.9%). Concluding, the GPF is most often located opposite the M3 in the majority of the world's populations. The maxillary molars are the best landmarks for locating the GPF. In edentulous patients the most useful points for approximating the position of the GPF are the AR, MMS and PNS. This study introduces an easy and repeatable classification to reference the GPF to the maxillary molars.     

Palatal asymmetry during development: an anatomical study

The purpose of this study was to evaluate hard palate asymmetry during development. The palates of 248 dry skulls were photographed and evaluated digitally. The skulls were divided into seven groups: fetus, newborn, infant, child, adolescent, adult, and aged. Linear measures were obtained from great palatine foramen (GPF) to incisive fossa (INC) and to posterior nasal spine (PNS). Angular measures were obtained from the former landmarks plus the point on sutures intersection between maxillary and palatine bones. Asymmetry was evaluated intra and intergroups. All skulls showed some degree of right-left asymmetry in the hard palate. Regardless of hard palate asymmetry, none of the right-left side differences was statistically significant. For the intergroups assessment, none of the asymmetry index means were statistically different. The posterior part of palate (PNS x GPF) measures was more asymmetric than the anterior part (INC x GPF), showing, respectively, 4.6% and 2.8% of mean asymmetry index. Angular measures showed a more symmetric behavior than the linear ones. Hard palate asymmetry occurs even in the absence of masticatory function, showing that this feature begins early in fetal life and persists through development.     

Variations of the prominences of the bony palate and their relationship to complete dentures in Korean skulls.

The osteological and morphological variations of the prominences in the bony palate of 160 Korean skulls were studied. The frequency of the occurrence of the posterior palatine crest, located on the posterior border of the greater palatine foramen, was 13.8%. Palatal ridges were observed commonly in the skulls; however, the smooth type, which has no palatal ridges in the palate, was shown in 14.7% of cases, and palatal spines were observed in 33.8%. The prevalence of palatal tubercles was 11.6%, and all were found in the molar region. The palatine torus was found in 18.8% of cases and the most common type was along the median palatine suture from the incisive foramen to the posterior border of the palatine bone (63.3%). No significant differences between sexes or sides were found in the posterior palatine crest, palatal ridges, and palatal tubercle. However, the sex distribution of the palatine torus was significantly different (P < 0.05). These results would be helpful clinically in fabricating maxillary complete dentures for edentulous patients.     

Postnatal changes in osseous and mucosal morphology of the hard palate

We investigated the postnatal changes in the dimensions, configuration, and surface pattern of the hard palate in 68 skulls, ranging in age from birth to 90 years of age. The number of palatine rugae of the palatine mucosa was assessed in 168 living subjects aged 11-98 years. Before the first dentition appeared, the osseous palate was concave, smooth, and lacked alveolar processes. In maxillar specimens from the end of the first year to the end of the fourth year of life, balloon-like osseous formations, containing the elements of permanent teeth, appeared bilaterally behind the deciduous incisors. With age, the concavity of the palate diminished and became flat with the loss of the teeth. The presence of teeth was associated with the height of the alveolar ridge, which decreased from 7.3 +/- 4.4 mm in specimens with intact teeth to 4.7 +/- 4.1 mm in specimens without teeth (P = 0.020). Palatine rugae were a common finding in living subjects, but were more often absent in older age (2.2% in 11-50 age group vs. 12.8% in 51-98 age group, P = 0.0183). Our results suggest that the morphology of the hard palate rapidly changes during deciduous and permanent teeth eruption and is related to the presence of alveolar ridges and teeth in adults. Palate osseous morphology may be morphologically and functionally independent from its mucosal morphology. Changes in the morphology of the osseous palate are clinically relevant for dental prosthetics and tooth implantation.     

Canalis sinuosus: a rare anatomical variation

The infraorbital canal issues a small branch on its lateral face close to its midpoint to allow passage of the anterior superior alveolar nerve. This small canal, sometimes called the canalis sinuosus, runs forward and downward to the inferior wall of the orbit, lateral to the infraorbital canal and medially bent to the anterior wall of the maxillary sinus, passing below the infraorbital foramen. Anatomical variations in the maxilla are rarely described in the literature and, in most cases, are related to the nasopalatine canal. This article describes a rare anatomical variation of the presence of a bilateral accessory canal extending from the nasal cavity lateral wall to an accessory foramen located on the hard palate, adjacent to the maxillary lateral incisor observed in cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) images. This case is an anatomical variation of the anterior superior alveolar nerve (canalis sinuosus). Identification of individual anatomical variations, especially on CBCT, may help the surgeon to avoid injuries to nerves during implant placement.     

The lateral incisive canals of the adult hard palate - aberrant anatomy of a minor form of clefting?

Except the oral clefts and their associated dental development disturbances, no other discrete morphologies are reported in the literature as related to altered fusions of the fetal maxilla and premaxilla. We report here two cases related by the persistence in adult of an aberrant canal at the fusion site of the fetal premaxilla and maxilla. The first case presents an anastomosis of the superior anterior alveolar and greater palatine nerves, encountered during the dissection of a human adult male cadaver; that anastomosis, bilaterally present, projected on the aforementioned fusion site and traversed the hard palate to continue within the maxillary sinus wall. The second case evidenced on CT the unilateral presence of aberrant lateral incisive canals (LIC) at the level of the fetal premaxilla and maxilla fusion site; those canals, external (1.5 mm diameter) and internal (1.07 mm diameter), were corresponding as location to that one traversed by the aberrant anastomosis in the first case. Both LIC opened inferiorly but not superiorly, rather seeming to communicate with the bony canals within the nasal fossa floor at that level. We consider that such aberrant canals and nerves may represent very rare forms of clefting, previously undescribed; the possible anastomoses of the superior anterior alveolar and greater palatine nerves can be altered during a Le Fort I fracture and may be the morphology that can explain aberrant clinical nervous distributions at the level of the upper dentoalveolar arch and hard palate.     

Topography of the greater palatine artery and the palatal vault for various types of periodontal plastic surgery

The purpose of the present study is to provide useful data that could be applied to various types of periodontal plastic surgery by detailing the topography of the greater palatine artery (GPA), looking in particular at its depth from the palatal masticatory mucosa (PMM) and conducting a morphometric analysis of the palatal vault. Forty‐three hemisectioned hard palates from embalmed Korean adult cadavers were used in this study. The morphometry of the palatal vault was analyzed, and then the specimens were decalcified and sectioned. Six parameters were measured using an image‐analysis system after performing a standard calibration. In one specimen, the PMM was separated from the hard palate and subjected to a partial Sihler's staining technique, allowing the branching pattern of the GPA to be observed in a new method. The distances between the GPA and the gingival margin, and between the GPA and the cementoenamel junction were greatest at the maxillary second premolar. The shortest vertical distance between the GPA and the PMM decreased gradually as it proceeded anteriorly. The GPA was located deeper in the high‐vault group than in the low‐vault group. The premolar region should be recommended as the optimal donor site for tissue grafting, and in particular the second premolar region. The maximum size and thickness of tissue that can be harvested from the region were 9.3 mm and 4.0 mm, respectively. Clin. Anat. 578–584, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

模拟内镜下经双鼻孔至Meckel腔的解剖

目的 通过模拟内镜下经双鼻孔至Meckel腔手术入路,对Meckel腔及入路的相关结构进行解剖学研究,为临床内镜下Meckel腔手术提供解剖学及形态学资料。
方法 对10具(20侧)动静脉灌注乳胶的成人尸头标本,完全模拟经双鼻孔至Meckel腔的手术入路逐层显微解剖,对入路相关解剖标志进行观察、分析、拍摄和测量。 结果 该入路可分4步,即寻找上颌窦口,进入上颌窦,进入翼腭窝和进入Meckel腔。鼻小柱距上颌窦口的距离为（45.07±2.01）mm,与蝶腭孔的距离为(64.84±3.00)mm,距翼管前孔距离为(71.34±2.99)mm。以鼻小柱至鼻后棘的连线为底边,其与鼻小柱与上颌窦口连线的夹角为(38.81±1.72)。其与鼻小柱与蝶腭孔连线的夹角为(25.92±2.05) °。蝶腭动脉及翼管动脉平均外径分别为(2.21±0.24)mm和(1.07±0.27)mm。翼腭窝区结构复杂,其内上颌动脉及其终支蝶腭动脉和腭降动脉变异较大,沿蝶腭动脉逆行解剖有助于寻找上颌动脉及其分支结构。解剖分离翼腭窝内神经、血管等结构,追踪翼管神经血管束,依据翼管后端正对颈内动脉破裂孔段的特点,解剖分离四方形空间可较直接进入Meckel腔。结论 侵犯Meckel腔肿瘤的入路选择应该个体化,应依据肿瘤主体在Meckel腔的位置及范围等决定选1种或联合入路;内镜下经双鼻孔至Meckel腔入路可较直接地暴露Meckel腔的前下内面及翼腭窝区域的解剖结构;手术中重要的解剖标志为蝶腭孔、翼管神经、翼管和上颌神经;翼腭窝中浅部血管结构的解剖有助于深部神经结构的保护,深部神经结构（如翼管神经和上颌神经）和其穿行的骨孔有助于在颅底辨别和控制颈内动脉。     

Sagittal craniofacial growth evaluated on children dry skulls using V<Subscript>2</Subscript> and V<Subscript>3</Subscript> canal openings as references

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between standard cephalometric landmarks and lines and those using ovale, rotundum, greater palatine and infra-orbital foramina as references. Thirty-four children dry skulls, 19 males and 15 females aged 0-6 years, were examined by computed tomography scanning. The classical cephalometric dimensions of skull base were measured from middle sagittal plane crossing over basion, nasion and sella turcica. Those of hard palate (maxilla and palatine bone) were measured from axial plane intersecting posterior nasal spine and anterior nasal spine. The dimensions between ovale and rotundum foramina, rotundum and infra-orbital foramina, greater palatine and infra-orbital foramina were determined by using constructed tomographic planes enclosing these different foramina. Biostatistical analysis using partial correlations showed that the linear variables with nerve canal openings as references are strongly related to length of both the skull base and of the hard palate. The results highlight the importance of the nerve canal openings of skull base and bone facial components in normal or pathologic craniofacial growth investigations.     

Position of the greater palatine foramen: an anatomical study through cone beam computed tomography images

Purpose

The block anesthesia of the greater palatine foramen (GPF) is largely used in minor oral surgeries, periodontics and general dentistry. Furthermore, the area of the GPF serves as a donor of soft tissue graft. So, the aim of this study was to evaluate the position and characteristics of the GPF in Brazilian patients using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) providing anatomical information for the greater palatine nerve block anesthesia and indicate site to collect palatal donor tissue.

Methods

Fifty CBCT exams of Brazilian patients with a mean age of 35.8 years (27 male/23 female) were evaluated. All patients had erupted first, second and third upper molars. A total of 100 GPF were evaluated bilaterally. The GPFs were assessed regarding position, diameter and distances to the midline maxillary suture (MMS) and to alveolar ridge (AR). Guidelines were drawn in the CBCT axial image depicting all molar interproximal surfaces, bilaterally. The guidelines were located between first, second and third molar and in the center of the second and third, performing five guidelines in each side. These guidelines and the molars were landmarks to assess the GPF anatomic position.

Results

From the 100 GPF analyzed, 92 were located in the third molar region (24 male/22 female). The 92 GPF were distributed as 47 in the left side and 45 in the right side. The average GPF diameter and the distance to both the AR and the MMS were 3.1 mm; 7.9 and 15.3 mm, respectively.

Conclusions

Within the limits of this study, we concluded that the in Brazilian patients studied, the GPF location was more closely related to third molar. Therefore, whenever the third molar is erupted, it could be used as landmark for successful GPN block anesthesia. Moreover, harvesting palatal mucosa graft around the third molar should be done cautiously to prevent damage to the GPF vascular-nerve complex.     

藏酋猴上颌窦的应用解剖

目的 通过对藏酋猴上颌窦的应用解剖,为上颌窦的临床应用提供形态学依据。方法 对6只藏酋猴的12侧上颌窦进行大体解剖,从整体和局部对上颌窦的位置、形态,窦腔与眶、鼻腔和口腔的结构进行观察和测量。结果 藏酋猴的上颌窦位于上颌骨体内,由前、后窦构成。后窦位于前窦的后方,窦腔较小。前窦和人的上颌窦类似,位于第1前臼齿至第2臼齿及相应骨腭的上方,毗邻眶、鼻腔、口腔,窦腔较大且形态无异常;窦腔与眶间骨质较薄,有鼻泪管连通,其管径为(4.31±0.10)mm、长度为(15.89±0.31)mm;窦腔底与鼻腔间有大且恒定的上颌窦裂孔,自然状态下裂孔长度(12.59±0.46)mm、高度(1.01±0.12)mm;向上牵拉海绵状血管球可使裂孔高度增大到(11.14±1.44)mm;窦腔与口腔间骨质最厚处位于第1前臼齿根尖的上方,厚度为(6.20±0.20)mm,最薄处位于第2臼齿根尖的上方,厚度为(1.57±0.23)mm,窦底最低处位于第1、2臼齿间。同一个体双侧对比,差异无统计学意义。结论 藏酋猴上颌窦的形态结构特点,适合于作为动物模型,应用于人类上颌窦病变、上颌窦提升及种植牙的相关研究;其上颌窦裂孔是上颌窦底非开窗手术入路的最佳部位。     

翼腭神经节的解剖研究及其临床意义

目的　研究翼腭神经节及毗邻结构的显微外科解剖关系,为临床手术治疗相关疾病提供解剖学依据。 方法　成人尸头标本15例（30侧）,采用手术显微镜及鼻内镜观察翼腭神经节及毗邻结构。 结果　翼腭神经节为翼腭窝内副交感神经节,为翼管神经、上颌神经、腭神经三者交汇处,位于内上方为翼管神经,位于外下方为上颌神经,位于下方为腭神经,腭神经起始于腭骨垂直板与上颌骨后壁的夹角处,腭神经起始处外径为（1.23±0.32）mm,向前内走行,并于腭降动脉的后内侧逐渐紧贴腭骨垂直板下降进入翼腭管。 结论　翼腭神经节与腭神经及翼管神经相邻,先通过腭神经寻找到翼腭神经节,再通过翼腭神经节可定位翼管神经,因此可作为翼管神经切除术中的重要解剖标志。     

Microvascular architecture of the palatine mucosa in the common squirrel monkey (Saimiri sciureus).

Detailed observations were made of the structure and microvasculature of the palatine mucous membrane of the common squirrel monkey (Saimiri sciureus) by means of the plastic injection method under a scanning electron microscope. The findings obtained were compared with those of the Japanese monkey and other mammals. The osseous palate was flat horizontally and a pair of incisive foramina were apparently open at the anterior end of the hard palate. At the posterior end of the osseous palate, the pterygopalatine incisurae were found bilaterally. The incisive papilla was not obvious in form and size, and a pair of openings of the incisive canal were always situated on both sides of the papilla. The transverse palatine plicae or ridges numbered 7 or 8 symmetrically. They arched posterolaterally with an anterior protrusion near each median end. Posterior plicae were underdeveloped. Numerous openings of the palatine glands were found in the soft palatine mucosa. The arteries supplying the palate were the major palatine artery passing through the major palatine foramen and the soft palatine artery passing through the pterygopalatine incisura. The major palatine artery extended forwards giving off numerous medial and lateral branches, and its end on the respective side entered a small foramen located lateral to the incisive foramen. Medial and lateral branches formed the submucous arterial network. Arterioles diverging from this network were directed to the epithelial surface and formed an arterial network in the lamina propria. Further, capillaries diverging from the latter network built up the subepithelial capillary network immediately beneath the epithelium. Capillary loops sprouting from the capillary network were found in the form of a simple hair-pin without locational differences in their heights. The microvascular architecture thus displayed some similarity with that of the Japanese monkey. However, the vascular networks in the lamina propria and submucous layer were not distinct in size and scale as compared to those of the Japanese monkey. These differences may be related to the stature, living environment and food habits of this species.     

A palate tumor revealed by pain

A 41-year-old female presented in April 1996 with a tumor of the hard palate revealed by increasing left palate pain. Adenoid cystic carcinoma was suspected on clinical and imaging data. Two limited surgical procedures showed a tumor histologically made of small lobules of granular cells, PAS positive and expressing S100 protein, infiltrating some medullary spaces of the palatine bone, consistent with a granular-cell tumour. Pain recurred in the territory of the maxillary branch of the left trigeminal nerve (V2). Imaging showed a tumor of the origin of V2-extending through the foramen rotondum. Two radical interventions in September and in October 2000 showed an infiltrating tumor of the V2 and palatine mucosa, with the same histology. There was no immuno-staining for p53, and less than 5% of nuclei expressed Ki67. Malignant Abrikossof tumors are exceptional, morphologically difficult to differentiate from benign ones, only metastasis proving malignancy. Tumor size above 5 cm, recurrence and infiltrative character are considered pejorative. The value of p53 and Ki67 expression remains controversial. We discuss our observation according to these criteria.     

口腭咽入路的解剖基础及手术中应用

目的　探讨口腭咽入路相应的解剖学结构和临床应用效果。 方法　在15具动脉灌注乳胶的成人尸头上模拟口腭咽入路,在显微镜下观察腭大孔、切牙孔的位置,骨嵴的比例,腭大动脉的走行,硬腭部软组织的结构特点并测量颅底重要解剖结构间的距离;对2006年3月至2010年6月经口腭咽入路行显微手术治疗的18例颅底中线区肿瘤患者的资料进行回顾性分析。 结果　切牙孔距牙槽嵴前端的距离为(5.18±2.44)mm,骨嵴的比例为93.3%,54支腭大动脉走行于硬腭半宽的中内2/3侧,术式的暴露范围主要受限于双侧的视神经、颈内动脉、舌下神经管内口等结构;本组18例中12例全切除,6例次全切除,并发症包括1例脑脊液鼻漏,1例构音不良,无死亡、偏瘫等严重并发症。 结论　口腭咽入路切除颅底中线区肿瘤具有暴露充分、手术创伤小、并发症少的优点。该入路是切除颅底中线区肿瘤的较佳入路。     

Palatal analysis and osteology of the hard palate of the Kenyan African skulls

One hundred twenty-five dry skulls from Kenya that consisted of about 90% Bantu individuals were examined to obtain data on the gross anatomy of the hard palate. The palatine index showed that 43.2% of the total sample of skulls has narrow (leptostaphyline), 23.7% intermediate (mesostaphyline), and 33.1% wide (brachystaphyline) palates. The palatine height index showed that 40% skulls had low (chamestaphyline), 57% intermediate (orthostaphyline), and 3.0% deep (hypsistaphyline) palates. Mean palatal length, breadth, and height for the total sample was 4.92 cm, 4.02 cm, and 1.22 cm, respectively. The incisive foramen and canal was cone shaped in 80% where the diameter of the foramen was less than 0.4 cm, while it was cylindrical in 20% where the diameter was greater than 0.4 cm. Forty-nine per cent of the skulls had two-five lesser palatine foramina present. The greater palatine foramen was found to lie at the level of the third molar in 76%, intermediate between second and third molars in 13.6%, and opposite the second molar in 10.4%. The greater palatine foramen opened antero-medially in 74% and perpendicularly in 26% of the palates. Extensive longitudinal palatal grooves were found bilaterally in all the palates, 70% showed divisions of the grooves, 63.2% had crests along the border of the grooves, and 19.2% had bridges in the posterior part of the groove near the opening of the greater palatine foramen. The incidence of palatine torus was 4.8%. The incisive suture was present in 6.4% of the adult palates.     

Evaluation of the blood and nerve supply patterns in the molar region of the maxillary sinus in Japanese cadavers

The maxillary sinus (MS) in the maxilla bone is located near the orbit, the nasal cavity and the oral cavity; however, the positioning of the constituent bones is complex. The posterior superior alveolar branches of the maxillary artery and nerve are distributed in the lateral wall of the MS. The courses of these blood vessels and nerves are restricted by the morphology of the craniofacial bones, and the landmarks used in dental implant treatment of these courses mainly run along the lateral wall of the MS. In this study, 19 human cadavers with 34 sides of Japanese origin (ranging in age from 59-94 years, mean 77.7 +/- 9.8 years) were prepared for measurement of the MS, the superior alveolar artery and the infraorbital artery using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT). The posterior superior alveolar artery (PSAA) of the lateral wall of the MS can be classified into one of three groups based on the supply pattern. In the greatest number of cadavers, the PSAA ran mainly to the lateral surface of the zone between the superior border of the alveolar foramen and the inferior border of the MS (53.0%, 18/34). In others, the PSAA ran to the zone between the infraorbital foramen and the superior border of the alveolar foramen (17.6%, 6/34); in a third group, the PSAA ran to the zone between the inferior border of the MS and the greater palatine foramen (23.5%, 8/34). The lest of two sides are spread out in this area (5.9%, 2/34). CBCT is the most accurate tool to evaluate important anatomical parameters, such as the distance of the blood supply, for the implant of grafts in the floor of the MS during surgical procedures.