RADIOGRAPHIC ANATOMY BY WATERS'VIEW INNOMINATELINE AND TM LINE

Abstract

Radiographic innominate line and TM line(Tuber maxillae line)which superimpose upon the maxillary sinus by Water's view were classified into four types.These are, no visualization, visualization of the whole length, upper half and lower half, respectively.324 sides of maxillary sinuses by Waters' were included in this study;of innominateline, no visualization 45%, whole length 17%, upper half 27%, and lower half 11%.
Of TM line, no visualization 67%, whole length 9%, upper half 1.5%, and lower half 23%.
Of diagnostic significance of the present study, the innominate line, especially the lower half with it's inferior extension, might be confused with bone tips of blow-out fractures, and the TM line, when destructed, will indicate posterior extension of the lesions.However, These lines only have limited application since about 30 to 50% of them are visualized by Waters' view.