ABSTRACT
Background: Hard palate forms an important area in the skull, between the oral cavity and the nasal cavity. It isformed anteriorly by the palatine process of maxillae and posteriorly by the horizontal plates of palatine bonesof both sides, forming a cruciform suture in the midline. The hard palate play a crucial role in articulation ofspeech and any significant variations in its morphology may lead to alterations in the speech of an individual.Materials and Methods: The present study was conducted on 50 dry skulls of unknown sex and age obtained fromthe department of Anatomy, K S Hegde Medical Academy, Mangaluru. Various morphometric measurments weretaken from the skull using digital vernier calipers.Results: The length, breadth and height of the hard palate was 50.45mm±2.86mm, 39.38mm±2.28mm and10.31mm±2.21mm respectively. The distance between the greater palatine foramen and middle maxillary suturewas 14.80mm±1.14mm on right and 14.83mm±1.08mm on left side. The position of greater palatine foramen in82% of the skulls was opposite 3rd molars and 18% was between 2nd and 3rd molars. The palatine index showedthat, 66% were Leptostaphyline, 18% were Mesostaphyline and 16% were Brachystaphyline The palatine heightindex showed that 56% were Chamestaphyline, and 44% were Orthostaphyline.Conclusion: The present study identifies the commonest location of greater palatine foramen to be opposite the3rd maxillary molars which is useful for clinicians to perform procedures on palate. The morphometry is usefulin comparing the skulls of various origin.
ABSTRACT
Auditory tube extends from the anterior wall of middle ear to the lateral wall of the nasopharynx at the level ofinferior turbinate. It plays an important role in maintaining the equilibrium of air. In the patients suffering fromchronic otitis media, the auditory tube plays an very important landmark for the endoscopic evaluation and fortransnasal approach to the infratemporal fossa. The present study was aimed to locate the pharyngeal orifice ofthe auditory tube in relation to the important anatomical landmarks. The study was carried out on 50 sagittalhead and neck sections of formalin fixed cadavers. The pharyngeal opening of auditory tube was looked for itsshape, size and position. The anatomical landmarks with reference to the pharyngeal opening of auditory tubetaken were posterior end of inferior turbinate, perpendicular distance from the clivus, from the roof of nasopharynx,from the posterior end of hard palate and from the anterior arch of atlas. The distance from these anatomicallandmarks to the pharyngeal orifice of auditory tube were measured using digital vernier calipers. The mean andstandard deviations of the distances were calculated and tabulated. The measured distances were slightlyhigher on the right than the left side. These differences were not statistically significant. The present study isuseful for otorhinolaryngologists to locate the position of pharyngeal opening of auditory tube endoscopicallyand evaluate patients with diseases of middle ear.