2024/10/10 by Erekosima, Boma, Robinson, E.D ., Horsfall, A. U. +2
#Nasopalatine canal #cylindrical #funnel #incisive foramen
paper · doi:10.60787/tnhj.v24i3.880
Background: Nasopalatine canal (NPC), also known as incisive canal is in the anterior part of the hard palate posterior to the maxillary incisor and serves as a channel between the oral and nasal cavities. Incisive foramen is the distal opening of the incisive canal on the hard palate. This study evaluated the nasopalatine canal and its morphological variations amongst Nigerians. Method: This cross-sectional research was done in Radiology department of Rivers State University Teaching Hospital, Nigeria. One hundred computed tomography images of adults (≥18years) were studied. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 22.0. Independent t- test, ANOVA, paired t - test were used for comparison. A p<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Result: Cylindrical shape of NPC was most prevalent 43(23%), males had more cylindrical shape 38(27.6%), females had more funnel shape 26(24.8%). NPC length for males and females were 16.31+2.904mm and 13.92+2.638mm respectively and is statistically significant. The diameter of the incisive canal was 3.17±1.17mm and 3.24±1.10mm; males and females respectively, not statistically significant. Incisive foramen had no significant correlation as regards age and gender; double foramina was also observed in four female subjects. Conclusion: Knowledge of this structure and its morphological variations will help surgeons operating in that region in avoiding injury to neurovascular and other related structures. This study also found double foramina in four female subjects.