Morphological characteristics of coronoid process and revisiting definition of coronoid hyperplasia

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess the morphological characteristics of the coronoid process (CP) and define coronoid hyperplasia (CH) using cadaveric mandibles of a Caucasian population. A sample of 151 adult dry cadaveric mandibles (302 CPs) was acquired. Three distances were measured, which included the width, height, and length of CP. The surface area measurements involved area A: above the width distance line; area B: between incisura mandibulae—Alveolar ridge line and width distance line; area C: between distance lines of width and height. Finally, angulations of the CP and gonial angles were identified. Both length and surface area A + B acted as hyperplastic indicators. Based on the selection criteria, a sample of 197 CPs was included. The hooked shape (59%) was most commonly observed. No significant difference existed between left and right sides (p > 0.05). The mean values of length and surface area A + B were 2.2 ± 0.3 cm and 3.3 ± 0.8 cm2, and any values above 2.7 cm (n = 5 CPs- 2.5%) and 5.0 cm2 (n = 9 CPs- 4.6%) were described as hyperplastic, respectively. The presented data could act as quantitative reference for differentiating between normal and hyperplastic conditions.