Variations of the location of the greater palatine foramina in dry human skulls

Seventy-one adult skulls (58 dentulous skulls: 56 bilateral and 2 unilateral, 13 edentulous: 11 bilateral and 2 unilateral) of unknown sex were examined for the variations of the location of the greater palatine foramen. The location of greater palatine foramen (GPF) was noted with relation to mid sagittal suture (MSS), posterior palatal border (PPB), and maxillary molars by measuring the distances using a sliding caliper to the nearest millimeter. Difference in the distance of the foramen from MSS and PPG in both the skull types was found to be statistically insignificant. Commonest location of the foramen was found to be opposite to third molar tooth (85.95%), followed by the interval between second and third molar teeth (13.15%), and opposite to the second molar tooth (only one case - 0.88%). Well-formed bony canals were found along the groove for the palatine nerves and vessels unilaterally in the right side in two skulls. These observation may be of help to the dental surgeon during the peripheral block of maxillary nerve for the maxillo-facial surgery.