The greater palatine canal (or pterygopalatine canal) is a passage in the skull that transmits the descending palatine artery, vein, and greater and lesser palatine nerves between the pterygopalatine fossa and the oral cavity.

The greater palatine canal starts on the inferior aspect of the pterygopalatine fossa.

It goes through the maxilla and palatine bones to reach the palate, ending at the greater palatine foramen.

The canal is formed by a vertical groove on the posterior part of the maxillary surface of the palatine bone; it is converted into a canal by articulation with the maxilla.

This article incorporates text in the public domain from page 160 of the 20th edition of Gray's Anatomy (1918)