Morphological Variations of Lingula in South Indian Mandibles

The ramus of mandible presents on its medial surface a little above its centre an irregular foramen called the mandibular foramen. This foramen is guarded by a thin sharp tongue shaped projection in its proximity called the lingula. This foramen transmits the inferior alveolar nerve and the corresponding artery to the mandibular canal (Grays) [1]. Here in , the nerve supplies the pulps of all the teeth located on lower jaw and ends by by supplying the lower lip and skin over the chin by its terminal branch, the mental nerve emerging from the mental foramen.