The appearance of mandibular condyle varies greatly among different age groups and individuals. Human mandibular condyles may be categorized into five basic types: flattened, convex, angled, rounded and concave. Morphologic changes of condyle occur due to developmental variations, remodeling, various diseases, trauma, endocrine disturbances and radiation therapy. Genetic, acquired, functional factors, age groups, individuals have a role in morphologic changes in shapes and sizes of condyle. Thus variability in the shapes and sizes of condyles should be an important factor in diagnosing the disorders of temporomandibular joint. Differentiating diseased conditions from anatomical variations of the condylar head possess a diagnostic challenge for the radiologist and surgeons on numerous occasions. The purpose of this review is to describe in detail about normal anatomical and morphological variations in condylar head, thus helping an investigator to distinguish between variations in form and pathologic condition.

Predilection of lesions to occur at certain specific sites is of great aid in arriving at a logical diagnosis. However tendency of lesions to appear at particular site does not follow a rule book. Enigmatic lesions like ameloblastomas have varied presentation. Here is an unusual case report of a patient who presented to us with an anterior mandibular swelling. Although clinical and radiographic features were suggestive of central giant cell granuloma, histopathological diagnosis was of ameloblastic carcinoma. Ameloblastomas are considered to be benign lesions; however, some can be reclassified as malignant when metastases occur or present with a very aggressive behavior. A detailed deliberation of differential diagnosis of anterior mandibular swellings is also done.