What Is Torus Palatinus and How Is It Treated?
Torus palatinus (pal-AHN-knee-uh nuh pah-LAN’-ee) is a common name given to a group of five vertebrae located just above the sacrum on either side of the pelvis. These bones form part of the spinal column, which connects all parts of your body together. They are called toruses because they resemble a torus shape, with the fifth bone being situated between them.
The torium is made up of many different bones: four long bones (vertebrae), two short bones (dorsal vertebrae) and one fused fibrous disc (thoracic vertebra). All these parts work together to support your spine and allow you to move around.
When the spine is bent or twisted, the torus may bend or twist as well. If not treated properly, it can lead to pain and even paralysis.
You will see some signs of this condition if you have ever had back problems before. However, most people don’t realise how much damage can occur until they suffer from a severe case of thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS).
What are the causes of Torus Palatinus?
The most common cause of TOS is a direct blow or repeated blows to the head. This can cause the ribs and shoulder blades to move out of place, resulting in excruciating pain that may last for years.
Other common causes of TOS include:
Being in a car accident
Sustaining an injury such as a broken bone or a spinal cord injury
Lifting heavy objects incorrectly
What are the symptoms of Torus Palatinus?
You may experience one or more of the following symptoms if you have TOS:
Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. You may find it hard to get enough air, no matter how hard you try.
Sources & references used in this article:
Current status of the torus palatinus and torus mandibularis by AS García-García, JM Martínez-González… – Med Oral Patol Oral …, 2010 – academia.edu
What in the World Is This? A Large Oral Mass Seen During Endoscopy by MS Bhutani – Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology, 2019 – Elsevier
Torus palatinus and torus mandibularis in edentulous patients by FA Al Quran, ZN Al-Dwairi – J Contemp Dent Pract, 2006 – exodontia.info
The torus palatinus by RJ Godlee – 1909 – journals.sagepub.com
What is torus? by RN Riordain – dermnetnz.org
A nodular protuberance on the hard palate by B Ladizinski, KC Lee – JAMA, 2014 – jamanetwork.com
Variation in tooth size and arch dimension in Malaysian Malay subject with torus palatinus by MIM Noor, MF Tajuddin, MK Alam, R Basri, K Purmal… – Int. Med. J, 2014 – researchgate.net
To open the suture of the palate in a female adult despite a torus palatinus by A Jacobson – American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial …, 1988 – Mosby
An Investigation of Palatal Rugae Patterns and Torus Palatinus in Unaffected Relatives of Individuals with Orofacial Clefts by A Jacobson – American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial …, 1988 – ajodo.org
