Evaluation of the Morphology of Palatal Rugae in Portuguese Subjects

Abstract

Palatal Rugae (PR) are disproportionate bilateral protuberances of connective tissue found on each side of the medpalatine raphe posterior to the incisive papilla. The aim of this study was to investigate the pattern and sexual dimorphism of PR. The prevalence and pattern of PR of 120 Portuguese individuals attending the Orthodontic Clinic of Egas Moniz were categorized. The sample comprised 44.2% males and 55.8% females with similar PR frequencies among sex and age. The total number PR was 624. Straight and wavy PR morphologies were the most frequently observed. There was no sexual dimorphism related to the PR pattern.

Keywords

• orthodontic population
• palatal rugae
• Portuguese individuals
• straight palatal rugae