Greater palatine foramen

Foramen palatinum majus

Definition

The greater palatine foramen, on both sides, is a bony opening near the posterolateral border of the bony palate. It leads to the greater palatine canal, where the greater palatine nerves and vessels pass through, reaching the bony palate via the greater palatine foramen on both sides. The greater palatine nerve provides innervation to the bony palate.

 Behind the greater palatine foramina are several lesser palatine foramina. These openings lead to the lesser palatine canals branching off from the greater palatine canal. Inside these canals, the lesser palatine nerves and vessels travel to the bony palate through the lesser palatine foramina on both sides. They then extend backward to provide innervation to the soft palate.

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Text written by Muhammad A. Javaid, MD, PhD © 2024 IMAIOS.

  • Drake, R.L., Vogl, A.W. and Mitchell, A.W.M. (2009). ‘Chapter 8: Head and Neck’ in Gray’s anatomy for Students. (2nd ed.) Philadelphia PA 19103-2899: Elsevier, pp. 819.

  • Helwany M, Rathee M. Anatomy, Head and Neck, Palate. [Updated 2023 Jun 5]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557817/


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