Identification of the greater palatine foramen, the greater palatine artery, and palatal fibromucosa: A cross-sectional ultrasonographic clinical study.

Abstract

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate with ultrasonography (US) the location of GPF, the course of the GPA, and to measure palatal fibromucosa thickness.

Materials and methods: This in vivo experiment was conducted on a group of healthy, young Turkish subjects. Using the US, the localization of the GPF, its diameter and opening type, maximum flow velocity (Vmax) and collateral branches (CB) of the GPA, and the thickness of the palatine mucosa were evaluated. The distance between the probe and the gingival margin (GM-P) was also measured to determine the course of GPA. Statistical analyses were performed using the chi-square test and the independent sample t-test, with the significance level set at 0.05.

Results: The study included 31 participants (16 females, 15 males; mean age, 23.77±0.92). GPF predominantly showed between the second and third molars (n = 15;48.4 %) and exhibited an anterior opening type(n = 25;80.6 %). The average diameter of GPF measured 5.52±1.76 mm, with a Vmax value of GPA at 14.39±5.07 cm/sec. Collateral branches were primarily observed at the first molar level (n = 23; 74.2 %). No statistically significant gender differences were noted in localization or opening type. However, GM-P at the second molar level was significantly greater in men than women(p < 0.05).

Conclusion: In understanding the anatomical structure of the palate, the US provides important clinical results regarding the anatomical measurement of the GPF, the GPA, and adjacent fibromucosa.