Mapping the course of the greater palatine artery using handheld Doppler: a descriptive cross-sectional study
In brief
Handheld Doppler maps the palatal artery's course, with distance varying by palate shape
In 49 healthy adults, Doppler mapping showed the artery moves farther from the midline and closer to the teeth toward the back of the palate. Its distance from several teeth varied by palate shape, but not by side or sex. The findings support personalized preoperative mapping, though whether it reduces surgical bleeding remains untested.
- Journal
- Journal of stomatology, oral and maxillofacial surgery (Q2)
- Published
- 7 October 2026
- Study design
- Cross-sectional study
- Evidence level
- Level 3, Low (CEBM 3b)
- Authors
- Chanchal Dharia, Kirushnavani Vadivelu, Charudatta Naik, Sanjay Joshi, Romi Jain, Tulsi Upadhyay
- PMID
- 42843760
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.jormas.2026.103023
Why clinicians should know about it
- Picked for Anatomy (top studies of the week, 11 October 2026): Mapping the course of the greater palatine artery using handheld
Abstract
AIM: To map the course of the greater palatine artery (GPA) using a handheld Doppler device and evaluate its relationship with tooth position, midpalatine raphe, palatal morphology, side, and sex in healthy adults. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on 49 healthy participants. The GPA was identified bilaterally from the maxillary first premolar to second molar using a 10 MHz handheld Doppler probe. Two measurements were recorded: tooth-to-GPA distance and GPA-to-midpalatine raphe distance. Palatal morphology was categorized clinically. Statistical analysis included ANOVA, independent t-tests, and paired comparisons, with significance set at p < 0.05. RESULTS: Tooth-to-GPA distance decreased progressively from premolar to molar regions, while GPA-to-midpalatine raphe distance increased posteriorly, indicating lateral displacement of the artery. Palatal morphology significantly influenced tooth-to-GPA distance at teeth 24 (p = 0.04), 25 (p = 0.022), 26 (p = 0.029), and 27 (p=0.025). No significant differences were observed at other sites. There were no statistically significant variations based on side or sex (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The GPA follows a predictable posterior and lateral course with morphology-dependent variation. Handheld Doppler provides a reliable, non-invasive method for real-time, patient-specific vascular mapping. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Preoperative Doppler localization of the GPA can aid in individualized surgical planning and reduce the risk of intraoperative hemorrhage during palatal procedures.
Abstract as published, via PubMed.
For healthcare professionals. The summary is generated by AI from the published abstract, and the evidence level is assigned automatically from the study design on the Oxford CEBM hierarchy. Neither is medical advice. Read the full paper before changing practice.