MORPHOMETRIC ANALYSIS OF HARD PALATE

BACKGROUND: The hard palate plays an important role in passive articulation of speech, as well as defect during development may lead to condition like cleft palate. Thus osteological and morphological variations in the bony palate is of great clinical significance. Aim of present study was to determine the palatine length, breadth, contribution from pre-maxilla & palatine processes for the hard palate, position of greater palatine foramen [GPF] and variation in number of lesser palatine foramina [LPF]. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 60 dried, unsexed Indian skulls from Government Medical College, Bhavnagar, Gujarat were studied. Above mentioned measurements were taken with Vernier Caliper. RESULTS: Mean palatine length and breadth were 49.74mm & 37.75mm respectively. The contributions from pre-maxilla & palatine process for the hard palate being 9.62mm & 40.11mm. The palatine Index showed that 15% of the skulls had wide (Brachystaphyline), 70% had narrow (leptostaphyline), 15% had intermediate (mesostaphyline) palate. The GPF was found to be at the level of 3 rd molar in 78.33%, between 2 nd and 3 rd molars in 17.50%, & at the level of 2 nd molar in 4.17% skulls. The distance of GPF from middle maxillary suture [MMS] was about 14.80mm & 14.83mm on right & left side respectively. Number of LPF was 0, 1, 2, 3 & 4 in 0.83%, 48.34%, and 38.33%, 10.83% & 1.67% skulls respectively. CONCLUSION: These observations can be utilized for anthropological studies, ethnic & racial classification of crania, greater palatine nerve block & surgical procedures in hard palate.