This document discusses anatomical landmarks in dentistry. It defines anatomical landmarks as recognizable structures used as reference points. The key landmarks are categorized as limiting structures, supporting structures, primary stress bearing areas, secondary stress bearing areas, and relief areas. For each category, the major landmarks of the maxilla and mandible are defined. The primary stress bearing areas of the maxilla are the hard palate and residual alveolar ridges. The mandibular primary area is the buccal shelf area. Anatomical landmarks provide important reference points for dental procedures.

1. ANATOMICAL
LANDMARKS
Dr.shiva

2. Anatomic landmarks :
• A recognizable anatomic structure used as a point of reference.
(GPT – 8).
Anatomical landmarks
Limiting
structure
Supporting
structure
primary stress
bearing area
secondary
bearing area
Relief
structures

5. Limiting structure

6. Supporting structures
Primary Stress bearing area Secondary stress bearing area

7. •Primary stress bearing areas

8. Secondary stress bearing areas

9. Relief areas

10. •Labial ?
•Buccal?
•Lingual?
•Palatal?
•Frenum?
•Sulcus / vestibule?
•Hamular notch?
• Tuberosity?
•Rugae ?

11. •Labial = near to the lip
•Buccal = near to the cheek
•Lingual = near to the tongue
•palatal = near to the palate
•Frenum = fold
•Sulcus / vestibule = groove or depression
•Hamular notch = hook like
• Tuberosity = a rounded prominence
•Rugae = wrinkles

15. Limiting structures (Fencing) of maxilla
Labial frenum
Labial sulcus
Buccal frenum
Buccal sulcus
Hamular notch
Posterior palatal seal area

16. LABIAL FRENUM
Single or multiple

17. LABIAL SULCUS/VESTIBULE
The portion of the oral cavity that is bounded on one side by the teeth, gingiva, and
alveolar ridge (in the edentulous mouth, the residual ridge) and on the other by the
lips anterior to the buccal frenula(GPT-8).

18. BUCCAL FRENUM
Single or multiple
Muscles attached in this region are
Levator anguli oris/canninus
Orbicularis oris
Buccinator

19. BUCCAL SULCUS/VESTIBULE
The portion of the oral cavity that is bounded on one side by the teeth, gingiva, and
alveolar ridge (In the edentulous mouth, the residual ridge) and on the lateral side
by the cheek posterior to the buccal frenula(GPT-8).

20. HAMULAR/ PTERYGOMAXILLARY NOTCH
The palpable notch formed by the junction of the maxilla and the pterygoid hamulus of the
sphenoid bone (GPT-8).

21. POSTERIOR PALATAL SEALAREA
Soft tissue area at /beyond the junction of the hard &
soft palate on which pressure within physiological
limits can be applied by a denture to aid in its
retention.(GPT-8)

22. Supporting structures
Primary Stress bearing area Secondary stress bearing area

23. •Primary stress bearing areas

24. Primary stress
bearing areas
Hard palate
slopes of residual
alveolar ridge

25. HARD PALATE
Hard Palate
The anterior and posterior regions
Clinical significance
The horizontal portion of the hard palate
provides the primary stress-bearing area.

26. Secondary stress bearing areas

27. Secondary stress bearing areas
Maxillary
tuberosity
Rugae

28. PALATAL RUGAE
The irregular fibrous connective tissue ridges located in
the anterior third of the hard palate (GPT-8).

29. MAXILLARYTUBEROSITY
It is the bulbous extension of the residual ridge in
the 2nd and 3rd molar region

30. Relief areas

31. Relief areas
Incisive
papilla
Mid-palatine
raphe
Fovea
palatinae

32. INCISIVE PAPILLA
The elevation of soft tissue covering the
foramen of the incisive or nasopalatine canal
(GPT-8).

33. MID-PALATINE RAPHAE
Median suture area covered by thin sub
mucosa
Median
palatine
raphae

34. FOVEA PALATINAE
Bilateral indentations near the midline
of palate. Posterior to junction of hard
and soft palate.
These are a pair of mucous gland duct
orifices

37. Limiting structures

39. Limiting structures (Fencing) of mandible
Labial frenum
Labial sulcus
Buccal frenum
Buccal sulcus
Retromolar pad
lingual sulcus
Lingual frenum

40. Supporting / stress
bearing area
Primary stress
bearing area
Buccal shelf
area
Secondary stress
bearing area
Slopes of residual
alveolar ridge

41. RELIEF AREA
Crest of residual alveolar ridge

42. Labial frenum
•Mandibular •Maxillary

43. LabialVestibule
• Mandibular • Maxillary

46. Based In Arch
Maxillary Mandibular
Classifications of anatomical landmarks
Bases on anatomy
Limiting
structure
Supporting
structure
primary stress
bearing area
secondary
bearing area
Relief
structures

47. Drshivasai