title: Anatomy and morphology of the nasopalatine canal using cone-beam computed tomography.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study was performed to evaluate the general anatomy and morphology of the nasopalatine canal using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) and to determine the human anatomic variability of the nasopalatine canal in relation to age and gender.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study included 100 subjects aged between 20 and 86 years who were divided into the following 3 groups: 1) 20-34 years old; 2) 35-49 years old; 3) ≥50 years old. The subjects were equally distributed between the genders. CBCT was performed using a standard exposure and patient positioning protocol. The data of the CBCT images were sliced in three dimensions. Image planes on the three axes (X, Y, and Z) were sequentially analyzed for the location, morphology and dimensions of the nasopalatine canal by two independent observers. The correlation of age and gender with all the variables was evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The present study did not reveal statistically significant differences in the number of openings at the nasal fossa; diameter of the nasal fossa openings; diameter of the incisive fossa; shape, curvature, and angulation of the canal as viewed in the sagittal sections; antero-posterior dimensions and length of the canal in the sagittal sections; or the level of division of the canal in the coronal plane by age. However, males and females showed significant differences in the length of the canal in the sagittal sections and level of the division of the canal in the coronal plane.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The present study highlighted important variability observed in the anatomy and morphology of the nasopalatine canal.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Faculty of Dentistry, Jamia Millia Islamia University, New Delhi, India.
authors.forename: Arpita Rai
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Thakur
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, S.D.M. College of Dental Sciences and Hospital, Dharwad, India.
authors.forename: Krishna
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Burde
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, S.D.M. College of Dental Sciences and Hospital, Dharwad, India.
authors.forename: Kruthika
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Guttal
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, S.D.M. College of Dental Sciences and Hospital, Dharwad, India.
authors.forename: Venkatesh G
authors.initials: VG
authors.lastname: Naikmasur
keywords: Anatomy; Cone-Beam Computed Tomography; Nasopalatine Canal