An anatomico-radiological study of an accessory mandibular foramen on the medial mandibular surface

Abstract

Unnamed foramina are known to be present in the mandible. The present research paper reports the presence of an accessory foramen on the medial surface of the mandible, highlighting its anatomico-radiological details. Accessory foramina in the mandible have been known to transmit branches of nerves supplying the roots of the teeth. Nerve block techniques by local anaesthetics might fail if any of these nerves or their branches pass through these accessory foramina and thus escape the nerve block. Dental surgeons performing extractions should be aware of accessory foramina on the mandible and thus plan anaesthesia at an appropriate anatomical site. The presence of such foramina might also be an alternate route for tumour spread following radiation therapy. Precise knowledge and awareness of such accessory mandibular foramina would therefore be important for dental surgeons performing nerve block and also for oncologists in planning radiation therapy.