Morphological Study of the Lingula in Adult Human Mandibles of Brazilians Individuals and Clinical Implications

Abstract

Objectives. The purpose of this research was to study, in macerated adult human mandibles, the height of the lingula and provide morphometric data for its location considering aspects such as shape of the lingula, gender, and race. Material and Methods. 132 macerated mandibles of Brazilian adult individuals, both sexes, Amerindian and Caucasian, were used. The distances: from mandibular notch to lingula; from anterior margin of ramus of mandible to lingula; from posterior margin of ramus of mandible to lingula; from mandibular base to lingula, and the height of lingula were obtained. To perform these measurements we used a digital caliper. The variables such as gender and race were analyzed. Results. The mean values found for the height of lingula and its location were determined according to the gender, race, and the lingula shape. Conclusion. This research provides additional data on height of the lingula and morphometric data for its location considering aspects such as shape of the lingula, gender, and race, information that had not been reported in the literature to date. We emphasize that a careful study considering gender and ethnic group makes procedures involving the region of lingula safer.

Mandibular Canal Course and the Position of the Mental Foramen by Panoramic X-Ray in Chilean Individuals

“…The mandibular foramen position is used as a parameter for safe interventions involving the mandibular ramus region, including surgery and anaesthesia [ 30 ], and this helps reduce complications due to inferior alveolar vasculonervous bundle lesions [ 31 ]. In a study of macerated mandibles in Brazilian individuals, Alves and Deana [ 32 ] performed morphological analysis of the mandibular lingula superoinferior position, an anatomical structure which forms the medial limit of the mandibular foramen [ 1 ]. They reported that the lingula was located in the superior or middle third of the ramus, 1 mm away from the intersection line of these two-thirds.…”

“…However, we note that previous studies in macerated mandibles did find an association between age and mandibular foramen location, with a more superior location found in younger males compared to older males and a more posterior location found in younger females compared to older females [ 35 ]. Sex, age, and ethnic group must be considered in surgical interventions or anaesthetic blocking, in order to reduce complication risks in this region [ 32 , 35 ].…”

Location and shape of the mandibular lingula: Comparison of skeletal class I and class III patients using panoramic radiography and cone-beam computed tomography

“…A relationship has been found between the shape of the lingula and its location in the ramus of the mandible. 27 In general, triangular lingulae were located slightly more posterior than nodular lingulae, and it is important to consider this tendency when performing surgical procedures involving the ramus of the mandible. 27 In this study, the triangular shape was located higher than other shapes.…”

A Novel Method for Observation of the Mandibular Foramen: Application to a Better Understanding of Dental Anatomy

“…The mandibular foramen, which is located on the medial aspect of the middle of the ramus, is the entrance to the mandibular canal. The mandibular lingula limits the foramen medially (Alves and Deana, ), and is the attachment of the sphenomandibular ligament, clinically important for oral and maxillofacial surgeons during saggital split ramus osteotomy as a landmark for avoiding nerve injury, hemorrhage and unfavorable fractures (Jansisyanont et al, ). There is a shallow groove (or sometimes a partial canal, or a small bone bridging) located posterior to the lingula called the mylohyoid groove (Narayana et al, ; Mensink et al, ), in which the mylohyoid nerve, a small branch of the inferior alveolar nerve, penetrates.…”