Let us examine the structure of the palatine bone (os palatinum). It is involved in the formation of numerous cavities and fossae.

The bone consists of two plates:

• horizontal plate (lamina horizontalis)

  

• perpendicular plate (lamina perpendicularis)

This bone has three processes:

• pyramidal process (processus pyramidalis)

  

• orbital process (processus orbitalis)

  

• sphenoidal process (processus sphenoidalis)

  

  The horizontal plate has two surfaces:

• nasal (superior) surface (facies nasalis), it is even

  

• palatine (inferior) surface (facies palatina), it is roughened

  

  The horizontal plate is connected to the palatine process of the maxilla by its frontal border. And the medial border fuses with the horizontal plate of the opposite side. The medial border also contains the nasal crest (crista nasalis).

  

  The posterior borders of the horizontal plates form the posterior nasal spine (spina nasalis posterior).

  

  As a result, the two palatine processes of the maxilla and the two horizontal plates of the palatine bones form the bony palate (palatum osseum).

  

  The perpendicular plate has two surfaces:

• nasal (medial) surface (facies nasalis)

  

• maxillary (lateral) surface (facies maxillaris)

  

  On the lateral surface of the perpendicular plate runs the greater palatine groove (sulcus palatinus major). It is a component of the greater palatine canal (canalis palatinus major). This canal ends with the greater palatine foramen (foramen palatinum majus).

  

  

  There are two crests on the medial surface of the perpendicular plate:

• ethmoidal crest (crista ethmoidalis), which is connected to the middle nasal concha of the ethmoidal bone

  

• conchal crest (crista conchalis), which is connected to the inferior nasal concha

The pyramidal process extends posteriorly from the inferior part of the bone.

Through this process pass the lesser palatine canals (canales palatini minores), which open into the lesser palatine foramina (foramina palatina minora).

The orbital process extends upward from the bone and is involved in the formation of the floor of the orbit.

The sphenoidal process runs medially and backwards.

These two processes are the boundaries of the sphenopalatine notch (incisura sphenopalatina).

Together with the body of the sphenoid, this notch forms the sphenopalatine foramen (foramen sphenopalatinum).

Dictionary

Palatine bone

palatine bone

os palatinum

horizontal plate

lamina horizontalis

perpendicular plate

lamina perpendicularis

pyramidal process

processus pyramidalis

orbital process

processus orbitalis

sphenoidal process

processus sphenoidalis

nasal surface

facies nasalis

palatine surface

facies palatina

nasal crest

crista nasalis

posterior nasal spine

spina nasalis posterior

bony palate

palatum osseum

maxillary surface

facies maxillaris

greater palatine groove

sulcus palatinus major

greater palatine canal

canalis palatinus major

greater palatine foramen

foramen palatinum majus

ethmoidal crest

crista ethmoidalis

conchal crest

crista conchalis

lesser palatine canals

canales palatini minores

lesser palatine foramina

foramina palatina minora

sphenopalatine notch

incisura sphenopalatina

sphenopalatine foramen

foramen sphenopalatinum