Ch29 Panoramic Images

Question 1

Mastoid process

Answer 1

Marked prominence of bone located posterior and inferior to the temporomandibular joint. It is part of the temporal bone

Appearance: large rounded radiopacity located posterior and inferior to the TMJ. NOT seen on intraoral images

Question 2

Styloid process

Answer 2

Long, pointed and sharp projection of bone that extends downward from the inferior surface of the temporal bone. Located anterior to the mastoid process

Appearance: appears as a long radiopaque spine that extends from the temporal bone anterior to the mastoid process. NOT seen on intraoral images

Question 3

External auditory meatus

Answer 3

Hole or opening in the temporal bone located superior and anterior to the mastoid process

Appearance: round or ovoid radiolucency anterior and superior to the mastoid process. NOT seen on intraoral images

Question 4

Glenoid fossa

Answer 4

Concave, depressed area of the temporal bone. Mandibular condyle rests in the glenoid fossa when the teeth are in maximum intercuspation (clenched). Located anterior to the mastoid process and external auditory meatus

Appearance: appears as a concave radiopacity superior to the mandibular condyle. Not seen on intraoral images

Question 5

Articular eminence

Answer 5

Rounded projection of the temporal bone located anterior to the glenoid fossa

Appearance: rounded radiopaque projection of the bone located anterior to the glenoid fossa. Not seen on IO images

Question 6

Lateral pterygoid plate

Answer 6

Thin, wing shaped bony extension of the sphenoid bone located distal to the maxillary tuberosity

Appearance: radiopaque projection of the bone distal to the maxillary tuberosity region. Not seen on IO images

Question 7

Pterygomaxillary Fissure

Answer 7

Narrow space that separates the lateral pterygoid plate and the maxilla

Appearance: radiolucent area btw the last pterygoid plate and the maxilla. Has the shape of an elongated and inverted teardrop that is outlined anteriorly by the posterior border of the maxillary sinus and posteriorly by the lateral pterygoid plate.

Question 8

Orbit

Answer 8

Bonnie cavity that contains the eyeball

Appearance: appears as a round radiolucent compartment with a radiopaque borders located superior to the maxillary sinuses. Only the inferior border of the orbit is visible on panoramic images

Question 9

Incisive canal

Answer 9

Passageway through bone that extends from the superior foramina of the incisive canal to the incisive foramen

Appearance : tubelike radiolucent area with opaque borders. Located btw the maxillary central incisors

Question 10

Hard palate

Answer 10

Bony wall that separates the nasal cavity from the oral cavity

Appearance: appears as a horizontal radiopaque band superior to the apices of maxillary teeth

Question 11

Sigmoid notch

Answer 11

Curved depression located between the mandibular condyle and the coronoid process of the mandible

Appearance: appears as a radiopaque curve depression located between the mandibular condyle and the coronoid process on the superior border of the ramus

Question 12

Mandibular foramen

Answer 12

Round or oval void hole in bone on the lingual aspect of the ramus of the mandible

Appearance: round or avoid radiolucency centered within the ramus of the mandible

Question 13

Lingula

Answer 13

Small, tongue shaped projection of bone seen adjacent to the mandibular foramen

Appearance: indistinct radiopacity anterior to the mandibular foramen

Question 14

Hyoid bone

Answer 14

Horseshoe shaped bone that lies below the mandible between the chin and thyroid cartilage. Ligaments and muscles located inferior to the mandible support the hyoid bone

Appearance: appears as a floating curved radiopacity at or below the inferior border of the body of the mandible. Depending on positioning hyoid may not be visible at all

Question 15

Mental ridge

Answer 15

Linear prominence of cortical bone located on the external surface of the anterior portion of the mandible that extends from the premolar region to the midline

Appearance: Appears as a thick radiopaque band that extends from the mandibular premolar region to the incisor region. May also be viewed on intraoral images

Question 16

Inferior border of mandible

Answer 16

Thick, linear prominence of cortical bone that defines the lower border of the mandible

Appearance: appears as a dense radiopaque band that outlines the lower border of the mandible

Question 17

Internal oblique ridge

Answer 17

Linear prominence of bone located on the internal surface of the mandible that extends down word and forward from the

Appearance: Dense radiopaque band that extends downward and forward from the ramus.

Question 18

Palatoglossal air space

Answer 18

Air space between the palate and the tongue

Appearance: horizontal well-defined radiolucent band located superior to the apices of maxillary teeth

Question 19

Nasopharyngeal airspace

Answer 19

Air space in the pharynx that is located posterior to the nasal cavity

Appearance: Diagonal radiolucent band located superior to the radio pick shadow of the soft palate and the uvula

Question 20

Glossopharyngeal air space

Answer 20

Air space in the pharynx that is located posterior to the tongue and oral cavity

Appearance: appears as a vertical radiolucent band superimposed over the ramus of the mandible. The glossopharyngeal air space is continuous with both the nasopharyngeal air space and the palatoglossal air space

Question 21

Soft palate and uvula

Answer 21

Form a muscular curtain that separates the oral cavity from the nasal cavity. Appear as a faint diagonal radiopaque Area that projects posteriorly and inferiorly from the maxillary tuberosity region

Question 22

Lipline

Answer 22

Formed by the positioning of the patient’s lips. On a panoramic image the lip line is seen in the region of anterior teeth. Areas of teeth not covered by the lips appear more radiolucent, areas covered by the lips appear more radiopaque.