European Journal of Anatomy

Official Journal of The Spanish Society of Anatomy
Cover Volume 7 - Number 3
Eur J Anat, 7 (3): 139-141 (2003)

Incidence of large accessory mandibular foramen in human mandibles

Narayana K., Prashanthi N.

Department of Anatomy, Centre for Basic Sciences, Kasturba Medical College, Bejai, Mangalore-575004, India; Department of Anatomy, Centre for Basic Sciences, Kasturba Medical College, Bejai, Mangalore-575004, Karnataka, India

ABSTRACT The mandibular foramen (MF) is present on the inner surface of the ramus of the mandible. The inferior neurovascular bundle passes through it. A large accessory mandibular foramen (AMF) was present postero-superior to the normal MF (left side) in 1 mandible out of 335 (0.3%) mandibles observed. The diameters of this foramen were 10 mm antero-posteriorly and 5 mm vertically, and that of MF were 7 mm antero-posteriorly and 5 mm vertically. The distance between these 2 foramina was 11 mm, and between the AMF and the apex of the lingula was 4 mm. The distances from the posterior limit of AMF to the posterior border of the ramus and angle were 18 mm and 52 mm, respectively. The AMF led into a canal that passed obliquely forwards and lateral to the mandibular canal and joined the latter at the level of the 3rd molar. A large AMF is a rare occurrence and therefore one should be aware of its incidence, since the structure/s passing through it could be compromised during surgical procedures of this area.

Keywords: accessory mandibular foramen, anatomical variation, article, human, incidence, inferior alveolar nerve, mandible, mandibular nerve, normal human, surgical anatomy

European Journal of anatomy
ISSN 2340-311X (Online)