CBCT-based evaluation of the morphometric relationship between the nasopalatine canal, infraorbital foramen, and greater palatine foramen

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The nasopalatine canal (NPC) shows considerable morphological variability and may be related to adjacent anatomical structures. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between NPC diameter and the morphometric and morphological characteristics of the infraorbital foramen (IOF) and greater palatine foramen (GPF), and to evaluate the changes associated with enlarged and pathological NPC conditions. METHODS: CBCT images of 180 individuals were retrospectively analyzed. Participants were classified into four groups based on NPC diameter: normal, enlarged, suspected pathology, and histopathologically confirmed NPDC. NPC morphology was evaluated in coronal, axial, and sagittal planes. IOF and GPF measurements and morphological types were assessed bilaterally RESULTS: No significant associations were found between NPC diameter and age, sex, or coronal morphology. In the axial plane, round (52.9%) and heart-shaped (42.9%) forms predominated in normal and enlarged groups, while oval morphology was more frequent in pathology (60.0%) and cyst groups (75.0%). In the sagittal plane, cylindrical (34.3%) and banana-shaped (38.6%) forms were dominant in normal and enlarged groups, whereas funnel-shaped morphology was more common in pathology (40.0%) and cyst groups (55.0%). Increasing NPC diameter was associated with higher IOF and GPF measurements and morphological changes. CONCLUSIONS: NPC enlargement is associated with morphological and dimensional variations in the IOF and GPF. These findings support the presence of measurable morphometric associations between NPC diameter and adjacent maxillofacial anatomical structures, particularly in enlarged and pathological NPC conditions.