Morphometric Analysis of The Mandibular Foramen in Dry Adult Human Mandibles: An Observational Study in The North Indian Population
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.63682/jns.v14i32S.8177Keywords:
Anatomical variations, dry mandibles, inferior alveolar nerve block, mandibular foramen, mandibular ramus, gonial angle, vernier caliperAbstract
Background: The mandibular foramen (MF), located on the inner surface of the mandibular ramus, is a vital anatomical landmark. It transmits the inferior alveolar nerve and vessels, making its precise localization essential for procedures like nerve blocks, fracture repair, implant placement, and orthognathic surgeries.
Materials and Methods: The present study was conducted on 35 adult dry human mandibles in the Department of Anatomy, ESIC Dental College & Hospital, Rohini, Delhi. Ethical clearance was obtained prior to the study. The position of the mandibular foramen was measured using a digital caliper (accuracy 0.1 mm) and other standard tools, based on its distance from specific anatomical landmarks.
Results: The mean values of D1, D2, and D5 showed minimal variation between sides and were statistically insignificant (p > 0.05). In contrast, significant differences were observed for D3 and D4, with higher mean values on the right side (p = 0.001 and p = 0.002, respectively). The angle measurement (A) also demonstrated a statistically significant difference (p = 0.02), with a higher average angle recorded on the right side (125.1° ± 3.21°) compared to the left (115.4° ± 2.96°). These findings suggest asymmetry in certain morphometric parameters.
Conclusion: The present study highlights significant anatomical variations in the position of the mandibular foramen in adult dry mandibles. Precise morphometric data provide important insights for clinical procedures like inferior alveolar nerve blocks and contribute to anthropological and forensic research. These findings offer a valuable reference for surgical planning and future anatomical studies.
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