A morphometric study of Mandibular Foramen in dry skulls and its clinical implications

Abstract

Introduction The mandibular foramen (MF) is an opening which is found in the medial surface of the ramus of the mandible. It leads to mandibular canal which contains neurovascular structures such as Inferior alveolar nerve and vessels. Aims & Objective: To determine the location of mandibular foramen in relation to surrounding important reference points in dry adult human mandibles of South Indian population. Material & Methods: The study was conducted in 100 adult dry human mandibles of unknown sex obtained from the Department of Anatomy of a private medical college in Bangalore. Inclusion criteria: Intact mandibles with sockets for third molar teeth were included in the study. Damaged mandibles, mandibles with pathological abnormalities were excluded from the study. The position of Mandibular Foramen was determined using the distances of the mandibular foramen to the (a) base of mandible (MF-MB), (b) mandibular notch (MF-MN), (c) anterior border of the ramus (MF-AB) (d) posterior border of the ramus (MF-PB). The measurements were done on both sides with the help of a sliding vernier caliper. Observation & Results: The mean distance between the mandibular foramen and the base of the mandible was noted as 23.42 mm on the right side and 24.16 mm on the left side. The mean distance between the mandibular foramen and the mandibular notch was noted as 22.42 mm on the right side and 22.38 mm on the left side. There were no significant difference observed in the location of mandibular foramen in relation to the surrounding reference points between both the sides. Conclusion: The present study provides the location of the mandibular foramen in relation to surrounding important reference points in dry adult human mandibles of South Indian population.