The incisive/nasopalatine foramen is associated with which nerve?

• A. Nasopalatine nerve
• B. Infraorbital nerve
• C. Greater palatine nerve
• D. Sphenopalatine nerve

Answer: (A)

The incisive/nasopalatine foramen is where the nasopalatine nerve passes. This sensory nerve, a branch of the maxillary division (V2) that travels with the sphenopalatine vessels from the pterygopalatine fossa, goes through the nasal cavity and then down the incisive canal to exit at the incisive foramen. There it supplies the mucosa and palatal gingiva of the maxillary anterior teeth. The other nerves don’t pass through this foramen: the infraorbital nerve goes through the infraorbital canal; the greater palatine nerve travels in the greater palatine canal to the posterior hard palate; the sphenopalatine nerve goes through the sphenopalatine foramen into the nasal cavity. So, the incisive/nasopalatine foramen is associated with the nasopalatine nerve.