The Incisive Foramen—a Possible Reference Point

Abstract

The maxilla projects a poor shadow on a lateral radiograph, and its reference points are correspondingly vague. If the mandibular canal is relatively stable in the growing mandible, it is not unreasonable to assume that the incisive foramen may well be so in the maxilla. This anatomical investigation of five cadavers gives evidence to show that the palatine foramen is consistently related to the papilla and can be simply identified with a radio opaque marker. Repetition of accuracy would appear superior to Downs' point “A”.