Anatomical classification of accessory foramina in human mandibles of adults, infants, and fetuses

Agnieszka Przystańska,Małgorzata Bruska

doi:10.1007/s12565-012-0136-z

Agnieszka Przystańska, Małgorzata Bruska

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1007/s12565-012-0136-z

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Abstract

In the past few decades, a number of studies have reported that accessory foramina are located on the internal aspect of the mandible, indicating their potential importance for effective and successful clinical procedures. The aim of this study is to evaluate adult, infantile, and fetal human mandibles for occurrence of accessory foramina. To our knowledge, this is the first time that an attempt has been made to examine their particular co-location using a systematic approach and perspective. A total of 397 human mandibles, including 299 adult, 18 infantile, and 80 fetal, were investigated macroscopically for the frequency, position, and diameter of accessory foramina. In 96 % of investigated adult mandibles, at least one accessory foramen was found. Foramina were located either superior or inferior to the genial tubercle, as well as lateral to the tubercle. Bearing in mind their usual location, four different types of coexistence of foramina were distinguished. Accessory foramina were also present in similar locations in infantile and fetal mandibles. Accessory mandibular foramina are constant structures of human mandible. Their frequency, size, and location vary depending on the type of the foramen. Observations on children and fetal mandibles showed no significant differences in evaluation of accessory foramina, with the exception of lower occurrence in this group of subjects.

Highlights

In the mandible, accessory foramina refer to all mandible openings excluding the mandibular and mental foramina, and the alveolar sockets (Sutton 1974)
Observations on children and fetal mandibles showed no significant differences in evaluation of accessory foramina, with the exception of lower occurrence in this group of subjects
A vast majority of the morphological reports confirmed that accessory foramina occur in most investigated mandibles (Shiller and Wiswell 1954; Sutton 1974)

Summary

Introduction

Accessory foramina refer to all mandible openings excluding the mandibular and mental foramina, and the alveolar sockets (Sutton 1974). It was reported that accessory foramina are present more often on the internal surface of the mandible (Chapnick 1980; Fanibunda and Matthews 1999, 2000; Haveman and Tebo 1976; Sutton 1974) than on its external one. They are located more frequently in the anterior part of the mandible (Fanibunda and Matthews 1999; Sutton 1974), though they have been observed in the retromolar area (Haveman and Tebo 1976; McDonnell et al 1994; Ossenberg 1987; Zivanovic 1970; Carter and Keen 1971) or the ramus of the mandible (Casey 1978; Barker and Locket 1972).

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