The canine fossa constitutes the chief part of the anterior, or facial, surface of the maxilla. It extends from the infraorbital margin above to the alveolar process below, and horizontally from the zygomaticomaxillary suture to the anterior nasal aperture.
From a study of 200 skulls and many wet specimens it is found that there is a great variation in its construction, an understanding of which will aid greatly in the performance of certain surgical procedures which involve this area, particularly the Caldwell-Luc and the Denker operation.
STRUCTURE
The distance from the alveolar process above the second bicuspid tooth to the infraorbital margin was found to range between 30 and 49 mm., the average being 39.2 mm. (fig. 1). With the loss of teeth there are absorption of the alveolar process and a recession of the floor of the antrum reducing the height of the front wall until there is