(Prosthodontics) Anatomic Landmarks of edentulous maxillary arch given in detail for the study purpose for the dental student. exam purpose.

1. Anatomical
Landmarks Of
Edentulous Maxillary
Arch

2. Anatomical landmarks of maxillary arch
 It comprise of:
1. Limiting Structures
2. Supporting Structures
3. Relief Areas

3.  LIMITING STRUCTURES
1. Labial frenum.
2. Labial vestibule.
3. Buccal frenum.
4. Buccal vestibule.
5. Hamular notch
6. Posterior palatal seal area.
 SUPPORTING STRUCTURES
1. Hard palate.
2. The posterior-lateral slope of residual alveolar
ridge.
3. Rugae.
4. Maxillary tuberosity.
 RELIEF AREAS
1. Incisive papilla.
2. Cuspid eminence.
3. Mid-palatine raphe.
4. Fovea palatini.

4. Limiting structures
Labial frenum:
 it is a fibrous band of mucous membrane that extends from the labial
aspect of residual ridge to the lip.
 its has no muscle fibers ,hence it is passive frenum.
 A V-shaped notch should be found while taking impression. Its should be
relived to avoid interference.
Labial vestibule:
 It is a space lined by mucous membrane which extends on both sides of
arch from the labial frenum to buccal frenum.

5. Buccal frenum:
 it is a fold of mucous membrane extends frm buccal mucous membrane
reflection area towards residual ridge crest.
 It seperates the labial and buccal vestibule.
Buccal vestibule:
 It is a space lined by a thin mucous membrane extends from the buccal
frenum to the hamular notch on both side of the arch.
NOTE:the area of the denture that fill the vestibular space is called labial
or buccal flange.

6. Hamular notch:
 It is a depression situated between the maxillary tuberosity and the
hamulus of medal pterygoid plate.
 The denture border should extend till the hamular notch.

7. Posterior palatal seal area:
 It is the area of the soft palate that contacts the posterior surface of denture base.
 It prevents the air entry between the denture base and soft palate.
Function of PPS
 Aids in retention by maintaining constant contact with the
Soft palate during functional movements.
 Prevent food accumulation between posterior border
denture Soft palate.
 It reduce gag reflex as it prevents the formation of gap
between the denture and soft palate.

8. SUPPORTING STRUCTURES
Hard palate:
 Ultimate support for a maxillary denture.
 It consist of two maxillae and palatine bone.
 It provides the primary stress bearing area for the denture.

9. Residual alvepolar ridge:
 It is the portion of alveolar ridge and the soft tissue covering which remains following
the removal of teeth.
 It resorbs rapidly following extraction and continues throughout life in a reduced rate.
 The crest of ridge acts as a secondary stress
bearing area.

10.  Rugae:
 It is the raised area of dense connective tissue radiating from the median palatine
suture in the anterior 1/3 of
the palate.

11.  Maxillary tuberosity:
 It is the distal end area of the residual ridge.
 It exteds from 2nd molar area to the hamular notch.
 Well formed tuberosities offers wide coverage so
enhancing support and retention of denture.

12. RELEIFE AREAS
 Incisive papillae:
 It is fibrous connective tissue overlining orifice of incisive foramen ,where the
nasopalatine nerve and blood vessels passes through.
 In edentulous mouth it comes to lie near or on labial to the residual ridge crest
due to bone resorption.

14.  Fovea palatini:
 It is two small pits or depression in the posterior aspect of palate, on each side
of midline formed by mucous gland ducts.