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Mastoid Process

A round, radiopaque projection of the temporal bone located behind the ear.

Styloid Process

A thin, pointed, radiopaque projection extending downward from the temporal bone.

External Auditory Meatus

A round, radiolucent opening in the temporal bone representing the ear canal.

Glenoid Fossa

A radiopaque, concave depression in the temporal bone where the mandibular condyle rests.

Articular Eminence

A radiopaque bony prominence of the temporal bone located anterior to the glenoid fossa.

Lateral Pterygoid Plate

A radiopaque, wing-like bony projection of the sphenoid bone behind the maxilla.

Pterygomaxillary Fissure

A teardrop-shaped radiolucent space between the pterygoid plate and posterior maxilla.

Maxillary Tuberosity

A rounded, radiopaque area posterior to the last molar in the maxilla.

Infraorbital Foramen

A small, round radiolucent area below the orbit, not always visible.

Orbit

A large, round radiolucent cavity representing the eye socket.

Incisive Canal

A radiolucent tube extending from the floor of the nasal cavity to the incisive foramen.

Incisive Foramen

A round radiolucent area located between the roots of the maxillary central incisors.

Anterior Nasal Spine

A V-shaped radiopaque projection at the midline of the anterior maxilla.

Nasal Cavity

A large, radiolucent space above the maxillary incisors.

Nasal Conchae

Radiopaque soft tissue masses within the nasal cavity.

Nasal Septum

A vertical radiopaque line that separates the left and right nasal cavities.

Hard Palate

A horizontal radiopaque line above the roots of the maxillary teeth, representing the roof of the mouth.

Maxillary Sinus

A large, radiolucent area located superior to the maxillary molars and premolars.

Floor of Maxillary Sinus

A thin, curved radiopaque line outlining the inferior border of the sinus.

Zygomatic Process of Maxilla

A U-shaped radiopaque structure superior to the maxillary molars.

Zygoma

A diffuse, radiopaque band extending from the zygomatic process posteriorly.

Hamulus

A hook-like, radiopaque projection posterior to the maxillary tuberosity.

Mandibular Condyle

A rounded, radiopaque projection of the mandible that fits into the glenoid fossa.

Coronoid Notch

A radiolucent concavity on the anterior border of the mandibular ramus.

Coronoid Process

A triangular, radiopaque projection of the mandible seen on maxillary molar radiographs.

Mandibular Foramen

A radiolucent opening on the internal surface of the mandibular ramus.

Ramus

The vertical, radiopaque portion of the mandible posterior to the molars.

Lingula

A small, tongue-shaped radiopaque projection near the mandibular foramen.

Mandibular Canal

A radiolucent band outlined by two radiopaque lines within the mandible, running from mandibular foramen to mental foramen.

Mental Foramen

A round or ovoid radiolucent area in the apical region of the mandibular premolars.

Hyoid Bone

A U-shaped radiopaque structure seen inferior to the mandible on panoramic images.

Mental Ridge

A linear radiopaque elevation in the anterior mandible extending from premolars to the midline.

Mental Fossa

A radiolucent area above the mental ridge, representing a depression in the mandible.

Lateral Fossa

A radiolucent area between the maxillary lateral incisor and canine.

Lingual Foramen

A small, round radiolucent dot located below the apices of the mandibular central incisors.

Genial Tubercles

Small, circular radiopaque projections surrounding the lingual foramen.

Inferior Border of the Mandible

A dense, radiopaque line outlining the base of the mandible.

Mylohyoid Ridge

A radiopaque line running diagonally downward and forward on the lingual surface of the mandible.

Internal Oblique Ridge

A radiopaque line on the internal surface of the mandible above the mylohyoid ridge.

External Oblique Ridge

A radiopaque line on the buccal surface of the mandible, extending from the ramus to the molars.

Alveolar Crest

The most coronal portion of the alveolar bone between teeth; radiopaque and continuous with the lamina dura.

Embrasures

Radiolucent spaces between adjacent teeth, best seen on bitewing images.

Lamina Dura

A thin, radiopaque line that outlines the root of the tooth, representing the socket wall.

Enamel

The most radiopaque layer of the tooth, covering the crown.

Dentin

A slightly less radiopaque layer beneath enamel and cementum.

Cementum

A thin layer covering the root, not easily distinguishable from dentin on radiographs.

Periodontal Ligament Space

A thin radiolucent line between the root and lamina dura.

Alveolar Bone

The bone that supports and surrounds the roots of teeth; appears variably radiopaque.

Pulp

A radiolucent space in the center of the tooth containing nerves and blood vessels.

Cancellous Bone

A radiolucent area with radiopaque trabeculae giving a honeycomb or lattice appearance.

Intermaxillary Suture

A thin, vertical radiolucent line between the maxillary central incisors.

Anterior Floor of the Nasal Fossa

A thin radiopaque line outlining the base of the nasal cavity.

Nasopalatine Foramen

Another name for the incisive foramen; a round radiolucent structure between the maxillary central incisors.

Floor of the Nasal Fossa

A curved radiopaque line representing the lower boundary of the nasal cavity.

Pterygoid Plates

Radiopaque bony projections of the sphenoid bone located posterior to the maxilla.

Nasolabial Fold

A soft tissue shadow appearing as a diagonal line near the canine and premolar region.

Submandibular Gland Fossa

A radiolucent depression below the mandibular molars where the submandibular gland rests.

Nutrient Canals

Thin, vertical radiolucent lines within the alveolar bone.

Mandibular Symphysis

A faint radiopaque line where the right and left halves of the mandible fused during development.

Vertebrae

Radiopaque block-like structures seen in the lower corners of panoramic radiographs.

Posterior Border of the Ramus

A straight, vertical radiopaque line forming the back edge of the ramus.

Angle of the Mandible

The radiopaque junction between the body and ramus of the mandible.

Epiglottis

A soft tissue structure seen on some panoramic radiographs as a faint radiopaque shadow in the throat.

Maxillary Tuberosity

– Already defined above; rounded radiopaque posterior maxilla.