title: Macro- and micro-anatomical, histological and computed tomography scan characterization of the nasopalatine canal.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the human anatomic variability of the nasopalatine canal and determine its characteristics using an anatomical, histological and computed tomography (CT) scan evaluation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Measurements for the canal characteristics were carried out on 163 dry human skulls and 120 upper jaw spiral CT scans, taken from patients for pre-operative planning purposes of implant placement in the incisor region. Furthermore, four human cadaver specimens were imaged using a high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (HR-MRI) unit. Afterwards, these specimens were serially sectioned for histological examination to evaluate the nasopalatine canal region and its content.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The nasopalatine canal anatomy showed a large variability in morphology and dimensions, with the canal branching in up to four canals at the level of the nose. The canal diameter was on average 3.3 mm (+/-0.9 mm SD), and typically enlarged by age and male gender (p<0.05). HR-MRI and histological sections enabled to identify the neurovascular structures within the canals.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The large anatomic variations, the increased canal dimensions with age and the neurovascular canal content are all factors favouring a thorough three-dimensional planning before surgery, such as implant placement, of the anterior maxillary region.
authors.affiliation: Oral Imaging Centre, Faculty of Medicine, School of Dentistry, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium. xin.liang@med.kuleuven.be
authors.forename: Xin
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Liang
authors.forename: Reinhilde
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Jacobs
authors.forename: Wendy
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Martens
authors.forename: YuQian
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Adriaensens
authors.forename: Marc
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Quirynen
authors.forename: Ivo
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Lambrichts
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000718:Anatomy, Regional; D003758:Dental Implantation, Endosseous / Q000592:standards; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008437:Maxilla / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008875:Middle Aged; D009296:Nasal Cavity / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D021362:Palate, Hard / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D012016:Reference Values; D036542:Tomography, Spiral Computed; D055172:Vomer / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D055815:Young Adult