TY - JOUR A1 - , T1 - Incidence of large accessory mandibular foramen in human mandibles JO - Eur. J. Anat. SN - 1136-4890 Y1 - 2003 VL - 7 SP - 139 EP - 141 UR - http://www.eurjanat.com/web/paper.php?id=03030139 KW - accessory mandibular foramen KW - anatomical variation KW - article KW - human KW - incidence KW - inferior alveolar nerve KW - mandible KW - mandibular nerve KW - normal human KW - surgical anatomy N2 - The mandibular foramen (MF) is present on the inner surface of the ramus of the mandible. The inferior neurovascular bundle passes through it. A large accessory mandibular foramen (AMF) was present postero-superior to the normal MF (left side) in 1 mandible out of 335 (0.3%) mandibles observed. The diameters of this foramen were 10 mm antero-posteriorly and 5 mm vertically, and that of MF were 7 mm antero-posteriorly and 5 mm vertically. The distance between these 2 foramina was 11 mm, and between the AMF and the apex of the lingula was 4 mm. The distances from the posterior limit of AMF to the posterior border of the ramus and angle were 18 mm and 52 mm, respectively. The AMF led into a canal that passed obliquely forwards and lateral to the mandibular canal and joined the latter at the level of the 3rd molar. A large AMF is a rare occurrence and therefore one should be aware of its incidence, since the structure/s passing through it could be compromised during surgical procedures of this area. ER -