Imaging Sci Dent.  2013 Dec;43(4):273-281. 10.5624/isd.2013.43.4.273.

Anatomy and morphology of the nasopalatine canal using cone-beam computed tomography

• Thakur AR
• Burde K
• Guttal K
• Naikmasur

• KMID: 2229612
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5624/isd.2013.43.4.273

Abstract

PURPOSE
This study was performed to evaluate the general anatomy and morphology of the nasopalatine canal using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) and to determine the human anatomic variability of the nasopalatine canal in relation to age and gender.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The study included 100 subjects aged between 20 and 86 years who were divided into the following 3 groups: 1) 20-34 years old; 2) 35-49 years old; 3) > or =50 years old. The subjects were equally distributed between the genders. CBCT was performed using a standard exposure and patient positioning protocol. The data of the CBCT images were sliced in three dimensions. Image planes on the three axes (X, Y, and Z) were sequentially analyzed for the location, morphology and dimensions of the nasopalatine canal by two independent observers. The correlation of age and gender with all the variables was evaluated.
RESULTS
The present study did not reveal statistically significant differences in the number of openings at the nasal fossa; diameter of the nasal fossa openings; diameter of the incisive fossa; shape, curvature, and angulation of the canal as viewed in the sagittal sections; antero-posterior dimensions and length of the canal in the sagittal sections; or the level of division of the canal in the coronal plane by age. However, males and females showed significant differences in the length of the canal in the sagittal sections and level of the division of the canal in the coronal plane.
CONCLUSION
The present study highlighted important variability observed in the anatomy and morphology of the nasopalatine canal.

Keyword

Cone-Beam Computed Tomography; Anatomy; Nasopalatine Canal

MeSH Terms

Cone-Beam Computed Tomography*
Female
Humans
Male
Patient Positioning

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 The nasopalatine canal on CBCT images. A. An axial section at the level of the incisive fossa shows the medio-lateral diameter of the incisive fossa. B. A three-dimensional reconstructed image of the nasopalatine canal. C. A sagittal section shows the measurements of the length of the nasopalatine canal and the antero-posterior diameter of the canal at the nasal fossa, mid-level, and hard palate. D. A coronal section shows two openings of Stenson's foramina.

• 

  Fig. 2 A CBCT image shows 3 openings of the nasopalatine canal.

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  Fig. 3 Bar diagrams show the distribution of the number of openings at the nasal fossa. A. An age-wise distribution of the number of openings at the nasal fossa. B. A gender-wise distribution of the number of openings at the nasal fossa.

• 

  Fig. 4 CBCT images show the four shapes of the nasopalatine canal as seen on sagittal planes based on the labial and palatal walls of the nasopalatine canal. A. A cylindrical shape formed by parallel labial and palatal walls of the nasopalatine canal. B. A funnel shape formed by an increasing antero-posterior dimension of the nasopalatine canal from the nasal fossa to the hard palate. C. An hourglass shape in which the narrowest antero-posterior dimension of the NPC was at the mid-level compared to the dimensions at the nasal fossa and hard palate levels. D. A spindle shape in which the widest antero-posterior dimension of the nasopalatine canal was at the mid-level compared to the dimensions at the nasal fossa and hard palate levels.

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  Fig. 5 Bar diagrams show the distribution of the subjects according to the shape of the canal. A. An age-wise distribution of the subjects according to the shape of the canal. B. A gender-wise distribution of the subjects according to the shape of the canal.

• 

  Fig. 6 A CBCT image in the sagittal plane shows the method of measurement for vertical and slanted nasopalatine canals.

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  Fig. 7 CBCT images show the curvature of the nasopalatine canal as viewed in the sagittal plane. A. A slanted nasopalatine canal. B. A slanted-curved nasopalatine canal. C. A vertical nasopalatine canal. D. A vertical-curved nasopalatine canal.

• 

  Fig. 8 Bar diagrams show the distribution of the subjects according to the curvature of the canal. A. An age-wise distribution of the subjects according to the curvature of the canal. B. A gender-wise distribution of the subjects according to the curvature of the canal.

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  Fig. 9 A CBCT image in the sagittal plane shows the method of measurement for the angulation of the nasopalatine canal.

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