In the
human mouth, the incisive foramen (also known as: "anterior palatine foramen", or "nasopalatine foramen") is the opening of the
incisive canals on the
hard palate immediately behind the
incisor teeth. It gives passage to blood vessels and nerves. The incisive foramen is situated within the incisive fossa of the
maxilla.
The incisive foramen exists in a variety of species.
Structure
The incisive foramen is a funnel-shaped opening in the bone of the oral
hard palate representing the inferior termination of the
incisive canal.[citation needed] An oral prominence - the incisive papilla - overlies the incisive fossa.[1]
When
plain radiographs are taken of the
mouth, the incisive foramen may be mistaken for a periapical lesion.[5]
The incisive foramen can be used as a landmark when describing
cleft lip and cleft palate, which can either extend in front of (primary) or behind (secondary) the foramen.[6][7] It is also important as a
surgical landmark to avoid damaging its nerves and vascular structures.[3]
History
The incisive foramen is also known as the anterior palatine foramen,[5] the nasopalatine foramen, and the incisive fossa.