Category: Anatomy Monday

1 min read 4

Anatomy Monday: Glossopharyngeal air space

This is the last post on air spaces on pantomographs; the glossopharyngeal air space.  It presents as a radiolucent band superimposed over the angle of the mandible at the lateral aspects of the pantomograph. If the cervical vertebrae are visible, it is seen anterior to them. If you have any…
1 min read 0

Anatomy Monday: Nasopharyngeal air space

This week is the air space superior and lateral to the palate (on the radiograph); the nasopharyngeal air space.  It is seen as a radiolucent area superimposed over the ramus near the mandibular notch and neck of the condyle. If you have any questions or comments, please leave them below.…
1 min read 1

Anatomy Monday: Palatoglossal air space

The next three posts will be devoted to air spaces visible on pantomographs.  The first is the palatoglossal air space. The palatoglossal air space is between the palate and the tongue.  It is only visualized on a pantomograph when the patient does not place their tongue to the roof of…
1 min read 0

Anatomy Monday: Pterygomaxillary Fissure

This week I have a few pantomographs showing the pterygomaxillary fissure.  The pterygomaxillary fissure is the lateral opening to the pterygopalatine fossa. The pterygomaxillary fissure presents as a radiolucent inverted teardrop shape just lateral to the maxilla. It has a a radiopaque edge.   If you have any questions about…
1 min read 0

Anatomy Monday: Incisive Foramen

Last week I showed the superior foramina of the nasopalatine canal and this week is the inferior foramen; the incisive foramen.  The incisive foramen presents as a round to ovoid radiolucent entity between the maxillary central incisors.  When the width of the incisive foramen is 10 mm (1 cm) or…