Background:The coronoid process of mandible is thin flat triangular process from the ramus of the mandible. This varies in the shapes and size. It gives attachment to two main muscles that is temporalis and masseter muscle. The coronoid process is the favourable donor site. A Coronoid process graft can be used for alveolar defects repair, orbital floor repair, maxillary augmentation, repair of non-union fracture of mandible. These grafts can be widely used in the reconstruction of osseous defects in oral and maxilla-facial region. Aim of the Study: This study is done to find out the variation in shape of coronoid process of mandible, Intercoronoid distance, coronoid-condylar distance and the length and breadth and thickness of the coronoid process of mandible. Methods: The study was done on the 100 dry human mandibles from the osteology bank of Saveetha medical college and hospital. The distance was measured using the digital vernier callipers and the values were analysed. Results: This study is useful for the maxillofacial surgeon and this useful for determining the buccal vestibule during denture fabrication and helps us to understand the angle and extent opening of the mouth.
INTRODUCTION:The mandible is the largest, strongest bone of the facial skeleton and it is the second bone in the body to ossify. It has a horizontally curved body and two vertically placed rami that ascend in the posterior aspect. The rami bear the coronoid and the condylar process. The coronoid process projects upwards and slightly forwards as a triangular plate of bone. Its posterior border bounds the mandibular incisures and its anterior border continues into that of the ramus.