Chandimal K. M.; Ihalage W. I. S. M.; Edirisinghe E. A. S. T.; Priyadarshani, K. M. W. W.;Weerasooriya S.D.; Bowatte P. G. C. S.; Dissanayake K.; Dissanayake P. H. & Yasawardene S. G.
A precise understanding of the anatomy of the palate and the greater palatine foramen (GPF) is crucial for successful dental, anesthetic, and surgical procedures. This study assessed palatal dimensions, palatine morphologies, and GPF positioning in Sri Lankans using 70 adult dry skulls from various regions. Sri Lankan males exhibited larger palatal dimensions than females. The palatine index ranged from 67.47 to 91.16 in males and 69.53 to 91.54 in females. Males predominantly showed leptostaphyline (narrow palate) morphology (78,3 %), while females had a lower frequency (48,48 %). The least common morphology in both sexes was brachystaphyline (wide palate). GPF most frequently had an oval outline. Males showed significantly greater distances from the GPF to landmarks like the mid-sagittal plane, incisive foramen, posterior nasal spine, and the nearest molar compared to females. In females, the GPF was located medial to the third maxillary molar in 92.86 % of cases, while in males, this prevalence was 72.00 %. The least common GPF position, posterior to the third molar, was observed only in males. The GPF was predominantly located in the M2 region in both sexes (males: 72.00 %, females: 92.86 %), with the M1 region showing very low prevalence in males (4.00 %) and no occurrences in females. This study highlights the racial and sex differences in palatine morphology and GPF positioning, emphasizing the need for thorough preoperative evaluations for maxillofacial surgeries and regional block anesthesia.
KEY WORDS: Greater palatine foramen; Palatal morphology; Sex differences; Sri Lankan population; Maxillofacial surgery.
CHANDIMAL, K. M.; IHALAGE, W. I. S. M.; EDIRISINGHE, E. A. S. T.; PRIYADARSHANI, K. M. W. W.; WEERASOORIYA, S. D.; BOWATTE, P. G. C. S.; DISSANAYAKE, K.; DISSANAYAKE, P. H. & YASAWARDENE, S. G Palatine morphometry, morphology, and position of the greater palatine foramen with reference to various anatomical landmarks of Sri Lankans with reference to sex. Int. J. Morphol., 43(3):800-808, 2025.
