Nasopalatine Canal Masquerading as a Periapical Cyst

Abstract

The incisive foramen is also called as nasopalatine foramen. It is a funnel-shaped opening in the anterior maxilla which opens immediately behind the central incisor teeth through which nasopalatine blood vessels and nerves pass. The incisive foramen is continuous with the incisive canal or nasopalatine canal (NPC). Variations in size, shape, position, and number of NPCs exist. Anatomical variations in NPC cannot be appreciated on two-dimensional radiographs. A case of anatomical variation of the nasopalatine canal misdiagnosed as a periapical cyst is discussed.