Tag: intraoral radiograph anatomy

1 min read 1

Anatomy Monday: Superior Foramina of the Nasopalatine Canal

Now that all the foramina of the mandible have been covered (lingual, mental and mandibular) it’s onto the maxilla.  The first one I am going to show is the superior foramina of the nasopalatine canal.  The nasopalatine canal splits superiorly with an opening in the right and left nasal cavities.The…
1 min read 0

Anatomy Monday: Anterior Superior Alveolar Canal (???)

I’m going to start out this week’s canal as a challenge. I’ve come across two cases recently with canals that appear to be heading towards the maxillary canine. Based on my research and review of anatomy I concluded this was possibly the anterior superior alveolar canal.  After discussing this case…
1 min read 4

Anatomy Monday: Posterior Superior Alveolar Canal

This last canal is one that is always fun to see and a great quiz question for students (at least for me but then again I am a radiology nerd :D).  The posterior superior alveolar canal is most commonly seen on posterior maxillary periapical radiographs. It presents as a thin…
1 min read 0

Anatomy Monday: Nasolacrimal Canal

The nasolacrimal duct is most commonly seen on occlusal radiographs specifically the anterior maxillary occlusal radiograph and standard maxillary occlusal radiograph.  It presents as an ovoid radiolucent area with a thin radiopaque border at the lateral edge of the nasal cavity in the region of the molars. If you have…
1 min read 0

Anatomy Monday: Nasopalatine Canal

It’s time for the next canal: the nasopalatine canal.  This canal may also be referred to as the incisive canal.  It is seen on both intraoral radiographs and extraoral radiographs.  The nasopalatine canal presents as a vertical radiolucent band between the roots of the maxillary central incisors superiorly to the…