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Anatomical characteristics of greater palatine foramen: a novel point of view

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Abstract

Purpose

Anatomy of greater palatine foramen is important for maxillary nerve blocks, haemostatic procedures, and the treatment of neuralgia; although metrical data are available about its collocation, still several aspects need to be explored, such as the influence of the cranium size.

Methods

The position of greater palatine foramen was assessed on 100 skulls through six measurements (distances from intermaxillary suture, posterior palatal border, posterior nasal spine, and incisive foramen; palatal length; relative position on palatal length) and two angles (angles at incisive foramen and greater palatine foramen). Maximum cranial length, maximum cranial breadth, cranial height and bizygomatic breadth, horizontal cephalic index, and Giardina Y-index were evaluated. Possible differences according to sex and side were assessed through two-way ANOVA (p < 0.05). Measurements showing sexual dimorphism were further assessed through one-way ANCOVA including cranial parameters as covariates (p < 0.05).

Results

Distances of the greater palatine foramen from intermaxillary suture, incisive foramen, posterior palatal border, posterior nasal spine, palatal length, and position of the greater palatine foramen on the palatal length were statistically different according to sex (p < 0.05), independently from general cranial dimensions but for the distance from the posterior palatal border. The angle at the incisive foramen and distances from intermaxillary suture and from posterior nasal spine showed statistically significant differences according to side (p < 0.05).

Conclusions

Results highlight that most of sexually dimorphic measurements useful for pinpointing the greater palatal foramen do not depend upon the cranium size. A more complete metrical assessment of the localization of the greater palatine foramen was provided.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche per la Salute, Università degli Studi di Milano, V. Mangiagalli 31, Milan, Italy

    Daniele Gibelli, Claudia Dolci, Valentina Pucciarelli & Chiarella Sforza

  2. LABANOF, Laboratorio di Antropologia e Odontologia Forense, Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche per la Salute, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy

    Daniele Gibelli, Alessia Borlando & Cristina Cattaneo

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  1. Daniele Gibelli
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  2. Alessia Borlando
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  3. Claudia Dolci
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  4. Valentina Pucciarelli
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  6. Chiarella Sforza
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Correspondence to Daniele Gibelli.

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Gibelli, D., Borlando, A., Dolci, C. et al. Anatomical characteristics of greater palatine foramen: a novel point of view. Surg Radiol Anat 39, 1359–1368 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00276-017-1899-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00276-017-1899-7

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