title: Rare anatomical variation related to the nasopalatine canal.
abstract: The nasopalatine canal is a relatively long narrow structure located in the midline of the maxilla that contains the nasopalatine nerve and terminal branch of the descending palatine artery. Anatomical variations related to this structure have been reported. This article aimed to report a case of a complete additional nasopalatine canal on a 53-year-old female patient who underwent an examination by cone beam computed tomography. On sagittal slices, it was possible to observe the presence of an additional canal anterior and superior to the nasopalatine canal, separated by a bony septum. Each canal extended from independent superior openings (located in the nasal cavity) to independent openings located in the remaining alveolar process of the anterior maxilla. Identification of individual anatomical variations, especially involving neurovascular structures, plays an important role in the successful outcomes of surgical procedures involving the anterior maxilla.
authors: Division of Oral Radiology, Department of Oral Diagnosis, Piracicaba Dental School, State University of Campinas, Av Limeira, 901, Areião, Piracicaba, SP, 13414-018, Brazil, fredsampaio@yahoo.com.br.
authors: Frederico Sampaio
authors: FS
authors: Neves
authors: Luciana Koser
authors: LK
authors: Oliveira
authors: Ana Carolina
authors: AC
authors: Ramos Mariz
authors: Iêda
authors: I
authors: Crusoé-Rebello
authors: Christiano
authors: C
authors: de Oliveira-Santos
mesh_terms: D063405:Anatomic Variation; D054893:Cone-Beam Computed Tomography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008437:Maxilla / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008875:Middle Aged