Cone Beam Computed Tomographic Analysis of Anatomical Variations of Greater Palatine Canal and Foramen in Relation to Gender in South Indian Population
The greater palatine canal (GPC) extends through thepterygopalatine fossa (PPF), which then diverges to enter the hard palate at respective foramina. It houses the descendingpalatine artery (a branch of the third division of the maxillary artery) and greater and lesser palatine nerves (branches of the maxillary division of the trigeminal nerve) and their posterior inferio-lateral nasal branches. The canal helps direct access to the PPF, including the sphenopalatine ganglion, pterygopalatine ganglion , infraorbital nerve, internal maxillary artery, and the pterygoid venous plexus . The anatomy ofthe GPC is of interest to dentists, oral maxillofacial surgeons, and otolaryngologists performing procedures in this area (e.g., administration of local anesthesia, dental implant placement,orthognathic Le Fort osteotomies, and .Clinical textbooks on anesthesia locates the GPF in relation to the molar teeth. However, in a comparison one finds variation in the reported locations. According...