Greater plantain

Greater Palatine refers to a group of structures in the human anatomy related to the palate, the roof of the mouth. These structures include the greater palatine foramen, the greater palatine canal, and the greater palatine nerve.

Greater Palatine Foramen

The Greater Palatine Foramen is a small opening in the hard palate, located at the back of the mouth. It serves as a passageway for the greater palatine nerve and blood vessels to reach the palate.

Greater Palatine Canal

The Greater Palatine Canal is a bony canal that starts at the greater palatine foramen and extends to the Pterygopalatine Fossa. It carries the descending palatine vessels and the greater and lesser palatine nerves.

Greater Palatine Nerve

The Greater Palatine Nerve is a branch of the Maxillary Nerve, which is itself a branch of the Trigeminal Nerve, the fifth cranial nerve. The greater palatine nerve provides sensory innervation to the hard palate and the gums.

Clinical Significance

Knowledge of the greater palatine structures is important in various medical and dental procedures. For example, the greater palatine nerve is often anesthetized during dental procedures on the upper jaw. In addition, the greater palatine foramen serves as a landmark for maxillary nerve block, a type of local anesthesia used in oral surgery.

See Also

• Lesser Palatine
• Palate
• Maxillary Nerve
• Trigeminal Nerve