Title
Morphological and dimensional variations of the pterygoid hamulus: A CBCT-based cross-sectional study
Authors
Vijayalakshmi Gachinamath1,*, Praveenkumar Ramdurg1, S. Naveen1, K. Mohammed Fazil1, ZebaAfroz I Shaikh2, C. Jyoti1, Harshita K Arabbi1 & Mehul A. Shah3
Affiliation
1Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, PMNM Dental College and Hospital, Bagalkot- 587103, Karnataka, India; 2Department of Public Health Dentistry, SDM College of Dental Sciences and Hospital, Shri Dharmasthala Manjunatheshwara University, Dharwad, Karnataka, India; 3Department of Public Health Dentistry, Government Dental College and Hospital, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (Aurangabad), Maharashtra, India; *Corresponding author
Vijayalakshmi Gachinamath - E-mail: vjgachinamath@gmail.com
Praveenkumar Ramdurg - E-mail: praveenod@gmail.com
S. Naveen - E-mail: nvns03@gmail.Com
K. Mohammed Fazil - E-mail: mdfazil744@gmail.com
ZebaAfroz I Shaikh - E-mail: zebaafroz.487@gmail.com
C. Jyoti - E-mail: jcp7760@gmail.com
Harshita K Arabbi - E-mail: hkarabbi@gmail.com
Mehul A. Shah - E-mail: mehulshah1126@gmail.com
Article Type
Research Article
Date
Received March 1, 2026; Revised March 31, 2026; Accepted March 31, 2026, Published March 31, 2026
Abstract
Variations in the morphology of the pterygoid hamulus (PH) can lead to oropharyngeal pain, prosthodontic challenges and surgical complications, yet precise in vivo evaluations are limited. Therefore, it is of interest to assess the morphometric variations of the pterygoid hamulus (PH) in the Bagalkot population using Cone-Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT). CBCT scans of 65 adults (46 males, 19 females; mean age 39.5 years) were retrospectively analyzed, focusing on PH dimensions and shape. Results indicated that females exhibited slightly higher mean PH length, width and angulation than males, with width showing greater variability in females. Slender morphology was predominant bilaterally, followed by triangular types in both genders. The findings advance knowledge by demonstrating the utility of CBCT for accurate PH evaluation, supporting diagnosis of hamular-related pain and aiding in prosthodontic and maxillofacial procedures.
Keywords
Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT), craniofacial anatomy, hamular syndrome, pterygoid hamulus (PH), variations
Citation
Gachinamath et al. Bioinformation 22(3): 1477-1481 (2026)
Edited by
Ritik Kashwani
ISSN
0973-2063
Publisher
License
This is an Open Access article which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly credited. This is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License.
