Importance of knowing normal
anatomy :
1- correct film mounting requires a good
knowledge of normal radiographic anatomy.
2- To be able to detect abnormal findings.
Alveolar Crest
DEJ
CEJ
The alveolar crest appears flat and smooth bet the
teeth
Alveolar crest appears pointed & sharp bet the teeth
TYPES OF BONE SEEN IN DENTAL RADIOGRAPH:
1- CORTICAL BONE
2- CANCELLOUS BONE
CORTICAL BONE means outer layer
The cortical bone is also referred to as compact bone, is very
dense and contains no marrow space. This bone seen surrounding
the tooth (lamina dura) and carried over the alveolar crest.
Cortical bone resist the passage of the x-ray beam and appears
radiopaque.
CORTICAL BONE
Cancellous bone
Cancellous bone means arranged like a lattice
Cancellous bone is the soft spongy bone that is located between the
two layers of dense cortical bone.
It has a spider web appearance , it’s composed of numerous bony
trabeculae that form a lattice- like network of intercommunicating
spaces filled with marrow spaces
Trabecular Pattern in anterior maxilla
The trabeculae is thin
& numerous, forming
a fine, granular,dense
pattern& the marrow
space small and
relatively numerous.
Trabecular Pattern in
posterior maxilla
Similar to anterior
maxilla, the marrow
spaces may be
slightly larger.
Trabecular Pattern in
anterior mandible
The trabeculae thicker&
fewer than in the
maxilla, with large
marrow spaces.
Coarser pattern with
trabecular plates
oriented more
horizontally
Trabecular Pattern in
the posterior mandible
Trabecular plates
oriented more
horizontally.
Marrow space
comparable to ant.
Mand. But larger.
Follicle
Dental Papilla
Anterior Maxillary Projection
Nasal fossa(nasal cavity)
A pear-shaped
compartment of bone
superior to maxilla.
Radiographically.
large radiolucent area
above the maxillary
incisors.
Nasal Septum
a vertical bony wall that
divides the nasal cavity
into RT & LT fossa, it is
formed by two bones and
cartilage.
Radiographically:
Vertical radiopaque partition
divide the nasal cavity.super
imposed over the median
palatal suture
Floor of Nasal Cavity
Is a bony wall formed by the
palatal processes of the
maxilla & horizontal portion
of palatine bone,extends
bilaterally away from ANS.
Radiographically:
dense radiopaque band of bone
above the maxillary incisors.
Anterior Nasal Spine
Is a sharp projection of
the maxilla located at
the anterior & inferior
portion of the nasal
cavity.
Radiographically:
V-shaped Radiopaque area at
the intersection of the floor of
the nasal cavity & the nasal
septum.
Intermaxillary Suture
Median palatal suture.
Joint bet the 2 palatine
processes of the maxilla
Extends from alveolar
crest through ANS,to the
posterior hard palate
Radiographically:
Thin radiolucent line bet the
maxil central incisors, Uniform
width
Soft Tissue Outline of Nose
The nose can be
seen as a soft tissue
shadow, usually
radiopaque, along the
root of the maxillary
incisors.
Incisive Foramen
Is opening through
which the
nasopalatine nerve &
vessels pass.
Radiographically:
Radiolucent,oval shaped
Variable size and shape.
Variable position, due to
angulation of x-ray beam
Nasopalatine Canal
Transmits
nasopalatine nerves
and vessels.
Terminates in
incisive foramen.
Not always seen.
Superior Foramina of the
nasopalatine canal
Nasolacrimal Canal
Inferior nasal Conchae
Concha shell- shaped
thin curved plate of bone
extend from the lateral
wall of the nasal cavity.
Radiographically:
Diffuse radiopaque mass
or projection within the
nasal cavity.
Nasal Mucosa
Lateral fossa(canine fossa)
Is a smooth
depressed area of the
maxilla bet the canine
& lateral incisor.
Radiographically:
Radiolucency bet canine
and lateral inc.
the appearance varies
depend on the anatomy
Maxillary Premolar & Molar projection
Inverted “Y” of Ennis
Inverted Y refers to
intersection of nasal
fossa and maxillary
sinus.
Radiographically:
Radiopaque upside-
down “y” above the max
canine
Nasolabial Fold/ Cheek Mass
Maxillary Sinus
Paired cavities of bone
within the maxilla .
Located above the max
pre-molar & molar
Radiographically:
Radiolucent area
surrounded by radiopaque
line above the apices of max
pre-molar & molar
Maxillary sinus-septa
Maxillary sinus and Nutrient
canals
Tube like passageways
through the bone that house
BV & nerve to maxillary teeth.
Radiographically:
Narrow radiolucent band
bounded by two thin
radiopaque line representing
the cortical bone
Maxillary Sinus
Floor of sinus extends
to alveolar crest due
to missing teeth
Floor / Wall of Maxillary Sinus
Wavy outline of the
sinus
Maxillary Tuberosity
Is rounded prominence of
bone that extend post to
max 3
rd
molar region.
Radiographically:
Radiopaque bulge distal to
3
rd
molar region
Hamulus(hamular process)
Is a small hook-like
projection of bone that
extend from the medial
pterygoid plate
Posterior to max tuberosity
region
Radiographically:
Radiopaque hook-like
projection.
Varies in length, shape &
density
Zygomatic process of the maxilla
A bony projection of the
maxilla that articulates
with the zygoma.(dense
bone)
Radiographically:
J or U ahaped radiopacity
superior to max 1
st
molar
region
Zygoma(Malar bone)
It is comprised of dense
cortical bone.
Articulation of cheek bone
with the zygomatic process
of maxilla
Radiographically:
Diffuse radiopaque band that
extend posteriorly from the
zygomatic process of maxilla
All Those Horizontal Lines!
Alveolar Ridge
Floor / Wall of Maxillary Sinus
Zygomatic Arch (Inf. Border)
Zygomatic Process of Maxilla
Floor of Nasal Cavity
Tuberosity
Marked prominence of
bone on the ant ramus of
the mand.
Coronoid Process
Radiographically:
Triangular radiopacity
superimposed over,or
inferior to the max
tuberosity region
End of Part I
Anterior Mandible
Anterior mandible
Genial Tubercle
Tiny bumps of bone that serve
as attachment site for
genioglossus and geniohyoid
muscles.
Located on the lingual aspect
of the mand.
Radiographically:
Ring-shaped radiopacity
below the apices of the man
incisors
Genial Tubercle
Lingual Foramen
Tiny opening or hole in bone
located on the internal surface of
mand,near the midline &
surrounded by genial tubercles
Radiographically:
Small radiolucent dot inf to
the apices of man incisore
Nutrient Canals
Tube-like passageway
through bone that house
nerves & blood vessels
Seen in area of thin bone
Radiographically:
Vertical radiolucent lines
Mental Ridge
Is a linear prominence of cortical
bone on the external surface of
the ant portion of the man.
It extend from the premolar to the
midline & slop upward
Radiographically:
Thick radiopaque band
Superimpose over the mand
ant teeth.
Mental fossa
Scooped-out, depressed area
of bone on the external
surface of the ant man
Radiographically:
Radiolucent area bet the
alveolar ridge and mental
ridge.
Mandibular Premolar & Molar projection
Mental foramen
Is an opening located on
the ext surface of the
mand in the mandibular
premolar region.
Radiographically:
Small round or void
radiolucency in the apical
area of premolar
Posteriorly Positioned Foramen
Mandibular Posterior Region
Alveolar Ridge
External Oblique Ridge
Linear prominence of
bone located on the exter
surface of the body of the
mand
Radiographically:
Radiopaque band extend
downward & forward from the
ant border of the ramus of the
mand,it ends in the mand 3
rd
molar area
Mylohyoid Ridge (Internal oblique ridge)
Linear prominence of bone on
the internal surface of the
mand,it extend from the molar
region downward & forward
toward the lower border of the
mand symphysis
Radiographically:
Dense radiopaque band
Superimposed over root of
mand teeth
Mandibular Canal
Tube-like passageway through
bone that travels the length of
the mand.
Extend from mand foramen to
mental foramen& house inferior
alveolar nerve and vessels
Radiographically:
Radiolucent band outlined by two
thin radiopaque lines.
Below or superimposed over the
apices of the molar teeth
Submandibular Fossa
A scooped-out, depressed
area of bone on the internal
surface of the mand below
mylohyoid ridge
Radiographically:
Radiolucent area in molar
region
Inferior Border of Mandible
Dense radiopaque
band of bone