Unlocking the Mandibular Gateway: A Morphometric Insight into Demystifying the Anatomy of the Mandibular Foramen for Dental Procedures.
Keywords:
Inferior alveolar nerve block; ramus of mandible; mandibular notch; morphometrics; maxillofacial surgery.Abstract
Objective Detailed knowledge regarding the precise location of the mandibular foramen (MF) is essential to avoid iatrogenic injury to the inferior alveolar nerve and vessels during dental procedures. This study was designed to study the various morphometric measurements of the mandibular foramen and its relation to mandibular landmarks. Materials and methods MF from sixty dry adult mandibles were observed for variation in shape and location. The distance between the foramen and nearby bony landmarks of the ramus of the mandible was measured and analysed statistically. Results The mean vertical diameter of the MF on the right side was 3.31 ± 0.02 mm, and on the left side was 3.49 ± 0.01 mm, which was statistically significant (p=0.007). On the right side, the horizontal diameter was 2.95 ± 0.03 mm, and on the left, it was 3.03 ± 0.05 mm. The distance between the MF and the mandibular notch, anterior, posterior, and inferior border of the ramus of the mandible, showed slight variations on the right and left sides of the ramus. Statistically significant difference was observed in the measurement of MF and the anterior border of ramus between the right and left sides (p=0.02). Conclusion There were slight changes in the dimensions of MF and its distance to nearby mandibular landmarks between the right and left sides of the mandibular ramus. The precise localization of the MF is crucial for achieving a successful inferior alveolar nerve block and for avoiding injury to the neurovascular bundles passing through it during surgeries involving the lower jaw.
Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science Vol. 25 No. 04 October'26 Page: 1134-1138
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Copyright (c) 2026 Naveen Kumar, Ravi Bhaskar, Anjana Shidaraddi, Shreyasi Mukherjee, Ashwini Aithal P
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