Family Friendly & Specialty Dentists in London, UK
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Structure and Location
- The mental foramen is located on the anterior surface of the mandible.
- It is below the commisure of the lips and the tendon of the depressor labii inferioris muscle.
- The mandibular canal begins at the mandibular foramen on the posterior surface of the mandible and ends at the mental foramen.
- The mental foramen transmits the terminal branches of the inferior alveolar nerve (the mental nerve), the mental artery, and the mental vein.
Variation
- In toothless individuals, the mental foramen descends slightly.
- Approximately 63% of people have the mental foramen in line with the longitudinal axis of the 2nd premolar.
- The mental foramen generally lies at the level of the vestibular fornix and about a finger's breadth above the inferior border of the mandible.
- About 17% of mandibles have an additional mental foramen or foramina on at least one side.
- Approximately 4% of mandibles show multiple mental foramina on both sides, often with unequal sizes.
Clinical Significance
- The mental nerve can be anesthetised as it leaves the mental foramen.
- Anesthesia of the mental nerve causes loss of sensation to the lower lip and chin on the same side.
Additional Images
- Side view of the skull.
- The skull from the front.
- Distribution of the maxillary and mandibular nerves, and the submaxillary ganglion.
- Mandibular division of the trigeminal nerve.
- The permanent teeth, viewed from the right.
Related Concepts
- Mandibular foramen.
