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 anesthetized 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.

Mental foramen (Wikipedia)

The mental foramen is one of two foramina (openings) located on the anterior surface of the mandible. It is part of the mandibular canal. It transmits the terminal branches of the inferior alveolar nerve and the mental vessels.

Mental foramen
Mandible. Outer surface. Side view. (Mental foramen visible at left.)
Details
Part of	mandible
Identifiers
Latin	foramen mentale
MeSH	D000080383
TA98	A02.1.15.007
TA2	845
FMA	53171
Anatomical terms of bone [edit on Wikidata]