Incisive fossa
Fossa incisiva
Definition
An incisive fossa is a bony depression located in the central front area on the undersurface of the bony hard palate, directly behind the incisors. Within the walls of this fossa are tiny openings known as incisive foramina. These foramina serve as entrances to the incisive canals, linking the hard palate with the nasal cavity. Running through the incisive canal is the nasopalatine nerve, which travels from the septum of the nasal cavity into the hard palate.
Don't confuse this fossa with the incisive fossa on the anterior surface of maxilla, just above the incisor teeth.
References
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Text written by Muhammad A. Javaid, MD, PhD © 2024 IMAIOS.
Drake, R.L., Vogl, A.W. and Mitchell, A.W.M. (2009). ‘Chapter 8: Head and Neck’ in Gray’s anatomy for Students. (2nd ed.) Philadelphia PA 19103-2899: Elsevier, pp. 819.
Helwany M, Rathee M. Anatomy, Head and Neck, Palate. [Updated 2023 Jun 5]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557817/
