The radiolucency shown by the following radiograph is due to:

Radiological signs The nasopalatine cyst is located in the midline of the anterior palate and appears as a well-defined, round or ovoid radiolucency with a corticated margin (unless infected). The lesion may present rarely as a bi-lobular or heart-shaped radiolucency due to the simultaneous development of bilateral cysts. The presence of an intact lamina dura surrounding the maxillary central incisors is useful in distinguishing it from a radicular cyst, but as the lesion enlarges, lamina dura can be eroded. The distinction between a small cyst and a normal incisive foramen is usually made on size. The incisive foramen is typically about 6 mm in width but maybe as much as 10 mm anteroposteriorly. In addition, a normal incisive fossa is sharply delineated only at its lateral margin, whereas all margins of a nasopalatine cyst are well defined. Key Concept