Incisive foramen

The incisive foramen is a funnel-shaped opening in the bone of the oral hard palate representing the inferior termination of the incisive canal. An oral prominence - the incisive papilla - overlies the incisive fossa. The incisive foramen is situated immediately behind the incisor teeth, and in between the two premaxillae. Contents The incisive foramen allows for blood vessels and nerves to pass. These include: • the pterygopalatine nerves to the hard palate. • the nasopalatine nerves from the floor of the nasal cavity. • the sopalatine branches of the infratrochlear nerve, a branch of the ophthalmic nerve (V1), itself a branch of the trigeminal nerve. • the sphenopalatine artery supplying the mucous membrane covering the hard palate of the mouth. • the sphenopalatine vein draining the mucous membrane covering the hard palate of the mouth. == Clinical significance ==

As many nerves exit the incisive canal at the incisive foramen, it may be used for injection of local anaesthetic. The incisive foramen can be used as a landmark when describing cleft lip and cleft palate, which can either extend in front of (primary) or behind (secondary) the foramen. It is also important as a surgical landmark to avoid damaging its nerves and vascular structures. == History ==

The incisive foramen is also known as the anterior palatine foramen, the nasopalatine foramen, and the incisive fossa. == Other animals ==

In many other species, the incisive foramina allow for passage of ducts to the vomeronasal organ. == Additional images ==

File:Gray187.png|Inferior surface of base of skull File:Incisive fossa.jpg|Incisive fossa == References ==