An osteo-radiographic study of the mandibular canal

Abstract

Even though the mandibular nerve is of great importance to the dentist, very little research on the course of the nerve and the relationship of the mandibular canal to the adjacent anatomical structures has been carried out. From the. literature, it appears that the lateral ramus prominence (L.R.P.),or antilingula, is found to be present in from 50% to 100% of cases and is situated anterior and superior to the mandibular foramen. Most authors are in agreement on the situation of the mandibular foramen. Only one mandibular foramen is described in each ramus. The mandibular canal is described as lying inferior to the teeth. There is no agreement on the possibility of the existence of a second mandibular canal per hemimandible. Concerning the mental foramen, it is accepted that one is found on each side, but a second foramen,as well as accessory foramina, namely, the major and the minor variety, are described. In the horizontal plane, the mental foramen is found at the apex of the second premolar tooth or between the premolar teeth. In the vertical plane, the mental foramen is situated from inferior to the apex of the premolar teeth to halfway between the apex and the crown of the premolar teeth. The mylohyoid groove is converted into a canal in 16% of cases but never commences from within the mandibular canal, according to available literature.