Radiologic and cadaveric spatial relation between nasopalatine canal and the middle turbinate axilla.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to describe the spatial relation (SR) between the nasopalatine canal (NPC) and the septal projection of the middle turbinate axilla (MTA-SP), 2 anatomical landmarks used in rhinology. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted in patients who underwent a cone bean computed tomography. Two radiological measurements were assessed by 2 examiners: the distance between the perpendicular line corresponding to the MTA-SP to the posterior border of the NPC and the distance between the anterior and posterior border of the NPC. Also, an anatomical dissection was performed on a cadaveric head and NPC was cannulated to visually assess the SR through a radiological reconstruction. RESULTS: Among 30 patients, 14 females and 16 males with a mean age of 46.6 (SD 18.8) years, the mean distance between the perpendicular line corresponding to the MTA-SP to the posterior border of the NPC was -0.08 mm (SD 2.4 mm) and the mean distance between the anterior and posterior border of the NSP was 2.7 mm (SD 1.4 mm). CONCLUSIONS: The septal projection of the middle turbinate axilla is above and slightly in front to the NPC, at a mean distance of 0.08 mm. Understanding this relationship provides essential information about structure and spatial orientation of the nasal cavity.