Endoscopic appearance of the nasal opening of human nasopalatine duct

ABSTRACT

The nasopalatine duct [NPD] in human adults is rarely patent and likely exists as a vestigial remnant. NPD is a common site for infection, tumors and cysts. This study was done to describe the location and gross anatomy of the nasal opening of the human NPD. A total of 100 volunteers, at Al-Azhar university hospitals, were examined by 30° telescope for the site and appearance of the nasal opening of NPD and photographs were taken and examined. Our results showed that the NPD was located 3 mm +/- 0.2 mm [mean +/- SD] above the nasal floor on the nasal septum, in both nostrils [90% bilateral], 2 cm +/- 0.03 cm dorsal to the columella. NPD was detected in 95% of the examined nostrils. The shape of the NPD fossa was oval [70%], and round [30%]. In the center of the fossa, a small, round aperture was visualized in 33% of fossae. In conclusion, the nasal opening of the NPD is an easily detectable bilateral and symmetrical structure, located at the junction of the nasal septum and floor of the nasal cavity. It can be potentially useful as an anatomical landmark