Multiple accessory foramina of the mandibular ramus: risk factor for oral surgery

Mylohyoid foramen of mandible: a rare exit point of intra-mandibular origin of nerve to mylohyoid

Nerve to mylohyoid is a branch of inferior alveolar nerve. It arises in the infratemporal fossa and runs in the mylohyoid groove of mandible to reach the submandibular region, where it supplies the anterior belly of digastric and mylohyoid muscles. Though sensory distribution of this nerve have been described, it is predominantly a motor nerve. Here, a rare intra-mandibular origin of nerve to mylohyoid has been presented. This nerve arose from the inferior alveolar nerve inside the mandible and came out to the submandibular region by passing through a small foramen present on the medial surface of the body of the mandible. It ended by supplying the anterior belly of digastric and mylohyoid muscles. The knowledge of this variation could be of importance to maxillofacial surgeons and radiologists.

The mental artery: anatomical study and literature review

The mental artery is a terminal branch of the inferior alveolar artery arising from the maxillary artery. It often communicates with the submental and inferior labial arteries branching off the facial artery. To our knowledge, few reports have described its anatomy and clinical significance in detail. The aim of this paper was to clarify the anatomy of the mental artery. Ten sides from five embalmed Caucasian cadaveric heads were used. The facial artery was identified at the point passing through a notch for the facial vessels and was traced medially. The mental artery and its anastomoses with other arteries were observed in detail. It was detected on all sides. Fourteen anastomoses were found, eight with the inferior labial artery and six with the submental artery. On one side, the mental artery directly supplied the lower lip with no anastomosis. The inferior labial artery tended to anastomose with the mental artery superior to the mental foramen and was likely to anastomose with the submental artery anterior to the mental foramen. We clarified the detailed anatomy of the mental artery. Our results could provide dentists with information that will help them to make oral surgery safer and more successful.

Clinical anatomy of the nerve to the mylohyoid

The nerve to the mylohyoid (NM) originates from the mandibular division of the trigeminal nerve. The NM provides motor control to the mylohyoid and the anterior belly of the digastric. Its sensory component, as a variation of this nerve, has scantly been described in the literature. We discuss the current clinical implications of the NM based on its anatomical variations of the with the hopes of benefiting patients who are undergoing invasive maxillofacial procedures.

Clinical Anatomy and Significance of the Retromolar Foramina and Their Canals: A Literature Review

The retromolar foramina (RMF) and the retromolar canal (RMC) are anatomic variants in the mandible located distally to the last molar. The retromolar nerve, which runs through the RMC, is a type 1 bifidity of the mandibular canal. The investigations of the RMF and RMC have been performed by dry mandible studies, the panoramic radiograph (PAN), computed tomography (CT), and the cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) studies. The CBCT has been shown to be the superior method for visualizing the RMF and RMC. There is wide variation in the frequency, location, diameter, and distance of the canal in different individuals. Overall, there is no significant difference in the frequency of the canal in the mandible between sexes or sides of the mandible. The peak incidence of the RMF may occur in adolescence. The RMC is significant due to the neurovascular bundle which runs through it. Injury to this neurovascular bundle during surgical procedures, such as third molar extraction, implant placement, or split sagittal osteotomy, may lead to paresthesia, excessive bleeding, or traumatic neuroma. The presence of RMC may also lead to insufficient anesthesia in the mandible which may be overcome with alternative anesthetic techniques.