Morphometric Analysis of Mandibular Foramen and Incidence of Accessory Mandibular Foramina in Adult Human Mandibles of an Indian Population

The mandibular foramen is an important anatomical land mark. For procedures like inferior alveolar nerve block, implant treatment and mandibular osteotomies, a thorough knowledge of the location of the mandibular foramen (MF) and accessory mandibular foramina (AMFs) is a prerequisite. There are few references in the literature regarding the exact anatomical location of the mandibular foramen. Therefore, the present study was aimed to identify the precise location of the MF and the incidence of AMFs around MF in an Indian population. Sixty (60) adult human mandibles were studied to determine the distance of the MF from the anterior, posterior borders of the mandibular ramus, mandibular notch and angle of the mandible. AMFs around the MF were also studied for their presence and numbers. The average distance of MF from the anterior border of mandibular ramus was 15.72 ± 2.92 mm(right side), 16.23 ± 2.88 mm(left side), from posterior border was 13.29 ± 1.74 mm(right side) and 12.73 ± 2.04 mm(left side).The MF was located 22.70 ± 3 mm (right side) and 22.27 ± 2.62 mm(left side) from mandibular notch. The distance of MF from angle of mandible was 21.54 ± 2.92 mm (right side) and 21.13 ± 3.43 mm (left side). AMFs were present in 16.66% of mandibles. In 10% mandibles a single AMF was present and in 6.66 % double foramina were present. Location of MF and AMF is important to avoid complications like hemorrhage and paresthesia during oral surgical procedures and also for radiotherapists in planning radiation therapy.