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Morphology of the greater palatine foramen: a clinical point of view

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Abstract

Purpose

Anatomical characteristics of the greater palatine foramen (GPF) are essential during the greater palatine nerve block application to anesthetize maxillary teeth, gums, midface, and nasal cavities. The position of GPF is usually described in relation to adjacent anatomical structures. This investigation aims to examine the morphometric relationships of GPF and closely determine its position.

Methods

The study included 87 skulls (174 foramina). They were photographed in a horizontal position with bases facing up. The digital data were processed in the ImageJ 1.53n software.

Results

The average distance of the GPF from the median palatine suture was 15.94 mm. In relation to the posterior border of the bony palate, the distance was 2.05 mm. Statistical significance was found in comparing the angle between the GPF, incisive fossa, and the median palatine suture between the sides of the skulls (p = 0.02). Comparing tested parameters between males and females showed significant differences in GPF–MPS (p = 0.003) and GPF–pb (p = 0.012), with lower values in females. The most significant percentage of skulls (77.01%) had the GPF located at the level of the third molar. The most significant number of bony palates had one lesser opening (60.91%) on the left side.

Conclusion

GPF is located at the level of the maxillary third molar in most of the examined palates. Knowledge of the anatomical position of the greater palatine foramen and its variations is the basis for successfully implementing anesthesia and various surgical interventions.

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Acknowledgements

The authors sincerely thank those who donated their bodies to science so that anatomical research could be performed. Results from such research can potentially increase mankind's overall knowledge, which can then improve patient care. Therefore, these donors and their families deserve our highest gratitude.

Funding

The authors have no relevant financial or non-financial interests to disclose.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Novi Sad, 3 Hajduk Veljkova Street, 21000, Novi Sad, Serbia

    Dragana Radošević, Mirela Erić, Dušica Marić, Nikola Vučinić, Nikola Knezi & Nikolina Pupovac

  2. University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia

    Aleksa Ilić

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  1. Dragana Radošević
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  2. Mirela Erić
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Contributions

RD: project development, data collection, data analysis, manuscript writing/EM: protocol development, manuscript editing, measurements/MD: protocol development/VN: data analysis/KN: image processing/PN and IA: data collection.

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Correspondence to Dragana Radošević.

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Radošević, D., Erić, M., Marić, D. et al. Morphology of the greater palatine foramen: a clinical point of view. Surg Radiol Anat 45, 1001–1007 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00276-023-03188-7

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