한국인에서 큰입천장구멍의 상대적 위치

Abstract

The identification of the accurate anatomical location of the greater palatine foramen (GPF) where the greater palatine nerve and vessels emerge is very important to the dentists when performing local block anesthesia for dental surgery such as flap operation. The purpose of this study was to measure and assess anatomical location of GPF in Korean. Twenty-five adult dry skulls of unknown sex were examined. The anteroposterior and mediolateral diameters of the GPF were taken. The distance from the GPF to midpalatal suture, and to the posterior border of hard palate were also measured. All measurements made by using digital Vernier caliper to nearest 0.1 mm. The location of the GPF was noted with relation to maxillary molars. And the direction of opening of the GPF onto the palate was determined using a dental orthodontic wire. All statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 12.0. The mean anteroposterior and mediolateral diameters of the GPF were 5.14 mm and 3.12 mm, respectively. The mean distance from the GPF to midpalatal suture was 15.62 mm, and to the posterior border of hard palate, 4.06 mm. The most common position of the foramen was founded to be opposite to third maxillary molar (73%), followed by between the second and third molars (24.3%). The direction of opening of the foramen was founded horizontally in 28 openings (58.3%) and vertically in 20 openings (41.7%). In conclusion, these results provide the useful reference when doing surgical procedures such as a implant placement in the palatal region.