Landmarks - Maxilla

Question 1

Incisive foramen (nasopalatine foramen)

Answer 1

this foramen is located 0.5-1.0mm behind the maxillary incisors. Through this foramen passes the nasopalatine nerve, which is the pathway for the 2nd division of the 5th cranial nerve.

Question 2

Infraorbital foramen

Answer 2

this foramen is located just inferior to the orbit on the front of the maxillary bone. The terminal branches of the maxillary division of the 5th cranial nerve pass through this opening.

Question 3

Infraorbital sulcus

Answer 3

this sulcus courses along the floor of the orbit. It contains the infraorbital nerve and vessels. It courses anteriorly to become the infraorbital canal, which opens at the infraorbital foramen.

Question 4

Canine eminence

Answer 4

this is a boney protuberance associated with the root of the maxillary canine

Question 5

Incisive fossa

Answer 5

this depression in the maxillary bone is medial and anterior to the canine eminence and is associated with the roots of the lateral and central incisors. It is lateral to the midline and present bilaterally.

Question 6

Maxillary sinus

Answer 6

This sinus is located within the maxillary bone and is in close association with the roots of the maxillary teeth.

Question 7

Maxillary tuberosity.

Answer 7

This structure is the posterior convexity of the maxillary body. It is a landmark for the posterior superior alveolar injection.

Question 8

Posterior superior alveolar foramen (foramena)

Answer 8

This foramen is found on the zyogmatic surface of the maxilla about 1cm superior to the gingival margin on the distal of the maxillary 3rd molar. It is here that the posterior superior alveolar nerve enters the maxilla.

Question 9

Malar strut (zygomatic process)

Answer 9

a projection of bone found above the maxillary first molars which sutures with the zygomatic arch. This landmark becomes significant during the posterior superior alveolar nerve block.

Question 10

Greater palatine foramen

Answer 10

This foramen is located at the lateral border of the transverse palatine suture. It is the exit pathway for the anterior palatal nerve, vein and artery.