07 Normal radiographic anatomy Flashcards
midpalatal suture
thin vertical radiolucent line between roots of maxillary central incisors
anterior maxillary structures
midpalatal suture, soft tissue outline of nose, nasal fossa, nasal septum, incisive foramen, anterior nasal spine, incisive foramen
floor of nasal fossa
radiolucent because they contain air, floor appears at a thin line above maxillary incisors
nasal septum
comprised of cartilage and vomer bone, between nasal fossa
anterior nasal spine
radiopaque ridge near nasal septum, most anterior point of maxilla
incisive foramen
ovoid radiolucency between roots of maxillary centrals, paired incisive canals may also be visible
lateral fossa
radiolucent concavity in maxilla between roots of laterals and canines, more prominent in some patients
lateral canine area
inverted radiopaque Y is the floor of the nasal fossa and the medial wall of the maxillary sinus, useful to ID canine area in edentulous surveys
maxillary sinus
walls appear as thin radiopaque lines, space is radiolucent
malar process
J or U shaped radiopacity typically over the roots of maxillary first molars, sometimes visible superimposed on maxillary sinus
sinus septations
vertical radiopaque lines, may be membranous or bony and usually only partial septations
PSA canal
posterior superior alveolar neurovascular bundle passes through maxillary sinus, often seen in maxillary molar PA as horizontal radiolucent band
maxillary tuberosity
visible posterior to maxillary molars
hamular process
thin vertical radiopaque line posterior to maxillary tuberosity, landmark necessary when making maxillary dentures
nasolabial fold
soft tissue outline sometimes seen in maxillary premolar PA when mouth is partially open
coronoid process
may be in maxillary premolar PA, especially when patient’s mouth is open
oblique ridges
external oblique is thickened radiopaque line that crosses mandibular 2nd and 3rd molars at CEJ, internal (mylohyoid) oblique on lingual surface crosses near apices of 2nd and 3rd molars
mandibular canal
transmits IAN bundle through mandible, horizontal radiolucent band below roots of molars in PA
mental foramen
ovoid radiolucency inferior to the mandibular premolars
genial tubercles
2 superior, 2 inferior around lingual foramen
lingual foramen
small radiolucent circle surrounded by genial tubercles and below the mandibular central incisors
submandibular fossa
radiolucent area inferior to internal (mylohyoid) ridge, more prominent in some patients
nutrient canals
thin radiolucent lines in interdental bone, neurovasclar bundles supplying local bone and gingiva, more obvious in edentulous
extraction socket
radiolucency in shape of roots, will fill completely with time
radicular development
root development visible on radiographs
