European Journal of Anatomy

Official Journal of The Spanish Society of Anatomy
Cover Volume 9 - Number 1
Eur J Anat, 9 (1): 49-53 (2005)

The relative position of the inferior alveolar nerve in cadaveric hemi-mandibles

Saralaya V., Narayana K.

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

ABSTRACT The present study was planned to evaluate the position of the mandibular foramen (MF) and the course of the inferior alveolar nerve in 12 right and 14 left cadaveric hemimandibles. The soft tissue, including the muscle attachments of the mandible, was cleaned and the inferior alveolar neurovascular bundle was dissected up to the MF. The distances from the MF to the angle, symphysis menti, 3rd molar, and the lowest point of the mandibular notch were measured. The bone was chiseled from its lingual surface to expose the mandibular canal. The distances from the MF to the different landmarks did not show any side differences, except the one to the symphysis menti (P<0.05; Mann-Whitney 'U' test). Similarly, the distances from the nerve to the borders did not show any significant side differences either. These data indicate that, on average MF is located at a symmetrical point on the ramus of either side, although, not exactly at a fixed distance from any of the landmarks tested. Further, the canals were located either near to the middle or below, near to the base of the mandible. We conclude that the location of the MF varies from bone to bone, despite its bilateral symmetry. Further, the canal, and consequently the nerve, does not maintain a constant position in the mandible.

Keywords: article, cadaver, evaluation, human, human tissue, inferior alveolar nerve, mandible, mandible canal, mandible foramen, measurement, neuroanatomy, parameter, rank sum test

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