Introduction: Blocking of the maxillary branch of the trigeminal nerve and its branches is a widely practiced procedure in numerous surgeries of the region such as dental implants in the posterior maxilla, maxillary sinus elevation and surgery in the maxillary quadrant, periodontal procedures, tooth extraction and abscess drainage. The route most commonly utilized in the oral cavity is through the Greater Palatine Foramen (GPF). GPF leads to the palatine canal which gives passage to the greater palatine nerve and vessels. The various published descriptions of the positional geometry of the GPF in the skull are in a much generalized manner without scarce information on the minor details. Methods: The present study was undertaken to define the exact position of GPF in relation to the well defined anatomical landmarks in the maxilla of Indian skulls We studied 98 adult dried, unsexed human skulls. The measurements were taken with the help of stainless steel pointed caliper, scale in millimeters and a needle to show the direction of opening of the GPF. Results: The GPF was located opposite the maxillary third molar tooth in 72.44% of skulls. The direction of opening was forward and medially in 69.4%. The distance of the centre of the GPF to the posterior border of the hard palate was 14 mm on right and left side. Conclusion: These measurements shall assist the clinicians and interventionists to localize the GPF with far greater accuracy. These findings accrue interest as they can reduce the attempts needed to introduce local anaesthetic agents in surgeries involving the maxillofacial region as well as other dental procedures.

Keywords: reater palatine foramen; Incisive foramen; Hard palate; Maxillary molar teeth.