How is it formed and where is it located?
The greater palatine canal is the inferior continuation of the pterygopalatine fossa (fossa pterygopalatina).
The walls of the canal are formed by the junction of two bones:
- Maxilla (maxilla): its nasal surface (facies nasalis) bears the greater palatine groove (sulcus palatinus major).
- Palatine bone (os palatinum): the adjoining groove of the perpendicular plate of the palatine bone.
Together these grooves form a bony canal that communicates with the oral cavity via the greater palatine foramen (foramen palatinum majus) and lesser palatine foramina (foramina palatina minora).
What passes through the greater palatine canal?
The canal transmits neurovascular structures passing from the pterygopalatine fossa to the oral and nasal cavities:
- Descending palatine artery (a. palatina descendens) — a branch of the third (pterygopalatine) part of the maxillary artery. Within the canal, it divides into lesser palatine arteries (aa. palatinae minores), supplying the soft palate and tonsil, and the greater palatine artery (a. palatina major), which runs along the hard palate.
- Palatine nerves (nn. palatini) — branches arising from the pterygopalatine ganglion. They form three groups, including the greater palatine nerve (n. palatinus major) and lesser palatine nerves (nn. palatini minores).
- Posterior inferior lateral nasal branches (rami nasales posteriores inferiores laterales) — branches of the pterygopalatine ganglion. They enter the canalis palatinus major and then exit through small foramina into the nasal cavity.
Blood supply and innervation areas
The structures associated with the greater palatine canal supply the following regions:
- Hard palate: The greater palatine nerve supplies the posterior and middle regions of the hard palate mucosa up to the canine, the minor salivary glands, and the gingival mucosa on the palatal side. The greater palatine artery runs anteriorly along the hard palate and anastomoses with the posterior septal and superior labial arteries.
- Soft palate: The lesser palatine arteries supply the soft palate and tonsil. The greater palatine nerve partially supplies the mucosa of the soft palate.
- Nasal cavity: The posterior inferior lateral nasal branches supply the mucosa of the inferior nasal concha, the inferior and middle nasal meatuses, as well as the maxillary sinus.
Topography and communications
The greater palatine canal is one of the pathways communicating with the pterygopalatine fossa. It connects the fossa to the oral cavity.
The greater palatine artery anastomoses with the posterior septal and superior labial arteries.
Class and exam questions
What cavities does the greater palatine canal connect?
It connects the pterygopalatine fossa with the oral cavity.
Which bones contribute to the formation of the canal?
The canal is formed by the junction of the greater palatine groove on the nasal surface of the body of the maxilla and the corresponding groove on the perpendicular plate of the palatine bone.
Which artery passes through the canal and what is its origin?
The descending palatine artery (a. palatina descendens) passes through the canal. It is a branch of the third (pterygopalatine) part of the maxillary artery (a. maxillaris).
Where do the posterior inferior lateral nasal branches from the canal go?
They exit the canal through small foramina into the nasal cavity and innervate the mucosa of the inferior nasal concha, the inferior and middle nasal meatuses, and the maxillary sinus.
What else to study on this topic
- Pterygopalatine fossa (Fossa pterygopalatina)
- Maxillary artery (A. maxillaris)
- Pterygopalatine ganglion (Ganglion pterygopalatinum)
- Maxilla (Maxilla)
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