PALATINE BONE ANATOMY
Palatine Bone - X-Ray View, Preview from the app. Download 3D OSTEOLOGY for full 3D control—multiple views, x-ray mode, and unlimited zoom.
GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS
- Intricate paired bone situated posteriorly in the nasal cavity
- Contributes to the hard palate formation
- Participates in constructing:
- Nasal cavity walls
- Orbital floor
- Hard palate posterior portion
Articulations
Palatine Bone - Disarticulated View, Preview from the app. Download 3D OSTEOLOGY for full 3D control—multiple views, x-ray mode, and unlimited zoom.
- Sphenoid bone
- Ethmoid bone
- Maxilla
- Inferior nasal concha
- Vomer
- Contralateral palatine bone
STRUCTURAL COMPONENTS
Palatine Bone - General Structure, Preview from the app. Download 3D OSTEOLOGY for full 3D control—multiple views, x-ray mode, and unlimited zoom.
- Comprised of three main parts:
- Horizontal plate
- Perpendicular (vertical) plate
- Multiple processes
PERPENDICULAR PLATE
Perpendicular Plate of Palatine Bone, Preview from the app. Download 3D OSTEOLOGY for full 3D control—multiple views, x-ray mode, and unlimited zoom.
- Vertical portion ascending from the horizontal plate
- Functions:
- Forms part of the nasal cavity lateral wall
- Contributes to maxillary sinus walls
- Provides structural support
Surfaces
- Nasal Surface — medial aspect
- Contributes to lateral nasal cavity wall
- Provides articulation points for adjacent bones
- Maxillary Surface — lateral aspect
- Forms part of maxillary sinus walls
Crests
- Conchal Crest — horizontal ridge
- Articulates with inferior nasal concha
- Assists in nasal cavity structure formation
- Ethmoidal Crest — horizontal ridge
- Articulates with middle nasal concha of ethmoid bone
Greater Palatine Groove
- Vertical groove located on posterior maxillary surface
- Forms greater palatine canal when articulated with maxilla
- Transmits greater palatine nerve
- Transmits greater palatine vessels to hard palate
PROCESSES OF PALATINE BONE
Processes of Palatine Bone, Preview from the app. Download 3D OSTEOLOGY for full 3D control—multiple views, x-ray mode, and unlimited zoom.
Pyramidal Process
- Posterolateral projection located at junction of horizontal and perpendicular plates
- Occupies gap between pterygoid processes of sphenoid
- Contains lesser palatine canals
- Lesser palatine foramina open on its inferior surface
Orbital Process
- Superior projection located at upper end of perpendicular plate
- Extends superolaterally
- Articulates with:
- Maxilla
- Sphenoid bone
- Ethmoid bone
- Forms portion of orbital floor
Sphenoidal Process
- Horizontal projection
- Articulates with sphenoid body
- Articulates with vaginal process of sphenoid
- Contributes to nasal cavity roof formation
Maxillary Process
- Lateral extension that articulates with the maxilla
SPHENOPALATINE NOTCH AND FORAMEN
Sphenopalatine Notch
- Located between orbital and sphenoidal processes
- Converted to sphenopalatine foramen upon sphenoid articulation
Sphenopalatine Foramen
- Opening formed by articulation with sphenoid bone
- Provides communication between nasal cavity and pterygopalatine fossa
- Transmits neurovascular structures
HORIZONTAL PLATE
Horizontal Plate of Palatine Bone, Preview from the app. Download 3D OSTEOLOGY for full 3D control—multiple views, x-ray mode, and unlimited zoom.
- Flat rectangular component
- Forms posterior third of hard palate
- Meets opposite palatine bone at midline
Surfaces
- Nasal Surface — superior aspect
- Contributes to nasal cavity floor
- Palatine Surface — inferior aspect
- Forms part of oral cavity roof
- Constitutes posterior third of hard palate
Lesser Palatine Foramina
- Small openings located on posterior pyramidal process region
- Transmit lesser palatine nerves
- Transmit lesser palatine vessels to soft palate
Posterior Nasal Spine
- Midline bony projection located at posterior border of horizontal plate
- Provides muscular attachment site
BIBLIOGRAPHY
1. Henry G, Warren HL. Osteology. In: Anatomy of the Human Body. 20th ed. Philadelphia: Lea & Febiger; 1918. p. 129–97.