Canalis sinuosus
# Canalis sinuosus

The canalis sinuosus is a passage within the maxilla through which the anterior superior alveolar nerve, artery and vein pass. The proximal opening of the canal occurs near the mid-point of the infraorbital $canal.^{:616}$

From its proximal opening, the canalis sinuosus first passes $infero^{:616}laterally^{:653–654}$ within the maxillary orbital floor where it is situated lateral to the infraorbital canal. It then $turns^{:616}$ to pass $inferomedially^{:653–654}$ and $anteriorly^{:699}$ while passing through the anterior wall of the maxillary $sinus^{:616}$ (the canal is marked by a groove upon the internal surface of the anterior wall of the $sinus^{:699}).$ It then courses to the inferior to the infraorbital foramen (of the infraorbital canal) and anterior to the anterior extremity of the inferior nasal concha to reach the margin of the anterior nasal aperture. Thereupon, it passes along the inferior rim of the anterior nasal $aperture^{:616}$ between the nasal cavity (superiorly), and the tooth sockets (dental alveoli) of the canine and incisor teeth $(inferiorly).^{:653–654}$ It ends distally by opening near the nasal $septum^{:616,653–654}$ anterior to the incisive $canals.^{:616}$ The canal may be up to 55 mm in $length.^{:653–654}$

The anterior superior alveolar nerve turns inferior-ward in the canal and ramifies to innervate the incisor and canine $teeth.^{:656}$

