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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…
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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.…
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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…
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Anatomy Monday: External Auditory Meatus

This week is the external auditory meatus.  The external auditory meatus is the external opening to the auditory canal. It presents as a well-defined round to ovoid radiolucent area lateral to the condyle. If you have any questions or comments, please leave them below. Thanks and enjoy!
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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…