Eur J Anat, 21 (3): 189-195 (2017)

Imaging of accessory buccal foramina using cone-beam computed tomography: case reports

Sergey L. Kabak¹, Nina A. Savrasova², Yuliya M. Melnichenko³, Natallia V. Zhuravleva³

¹Research Laboratory of Belarusian State Medical University, ²Radiation Examination and Radiation Therapy Department of Belarusian State Medical University, ³Department of Human Morphology of Belarusian State Medical University

ABSTRACT Rare variations of several additional foramina of the mandible and their combinations were visualized in the dry mandible and in vivo using Cone-Beam Computed Tomography images. One accessory mental foramen (AMF) was located at the root apex of the right second premolar upward from the mental foramen (MF), almost in the middle between the base of the mandible and the alveolar ridge. The second AMF was detected between the first and second left premolars downward from the MF. Two separate foramina in the buccal cortical plate of each half of the dry mandible located along a horizontal line were classified as the mental and mandibular incisive canal foramina. In all presented cases other additional foramina were identified. They were located on the buccal and/or lingual surface of the mandibular body.

Keywords: Accessory mental foramen â?? Cone-beam computed tomography â?? Mandible