Morphometric study of the greater palatine canal: cone-beam computed tomography

• Published in: Surgical and radiologic anatomy (English ed.) 2015-12, Vol.37 (10), p.1217-1224
• Main Authors: Rapado-González, O., Suárez-Quintanilla, J. A., Otero-Cepeda, X. L., Fernández-Alonso, A., Suárez-Cunqueiro, M. M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Anatomy; Anatomy & physiology; Cone-Beam Computed Tomography; Female; Head; Humans; Imaging; Male; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Original Article; Orthopedics; Palate, Hard - diagnostic imaging; Radiology; Studies; Surgery; Tomography
• ISSN: 0930-1038; 1279-8517
• DOI: 10.1007/s00276-015-1511-y

Purpose To analyze greater palatine canal (GPC) dimensions using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images, and to evaluate the position of the greater palatine foramen (GPF) with respect to various landmarks selected in relation to dental status. Methods This study included 150 CBCTs. Axial slices were used to determine the position and dimensions of the GPF. Sagittal slices were used to assess GPC length. Reference lines were established to evaluate the GPC diameter in sagittal and coronal slices. Results From the 77 GPF analyzed, 76 were located on level 2. Average posterior GPF distance was 6.59 ± 3.27 mm on right side and 7.35 ± 3.40 mm on left side. Several measurements to determine the position and dimensions of the GPF presented significant values ( p  ≤ 0.05). GPC length was 12.31 ± 1.96 mm on right side and 12.52 ± 2.15 mm on left side, statistically significant differences were detected between genders only on right canal ( p  ≤ 0.004). Sagittal and coronal reference lines presented significantly higher values for men except for the S3 ( p