| dc.description.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. | en_US |
