Presence of two mandibular canals and distinction of the inferior alveolar and mental nerves proximal to the mandible: A case study

• Main Author: Kristen R. Ramirez
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier 2019-03-01
• Series: Translational Research in Anatomy
• Online Access: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214854X1830030X

Background: The occurrence of bifid mandibular canals is unusual but not rare. Previous reviews and case studies have described numerous types of bifid canals based on location, anatomy, and contents. Developmentally, ossification of the mandible begins at the region of the mental foramen and continues posteriorly, forming the mandibular canal around the neurovascular bundle within. This process explains the creation of multiple mandibular canals and the diversity of canal types previously recorded in the literature. However, the presence of two distinct mandibular canals, each originating from its own mandibular foramen, is even more unusual. Materials and methods: This case report describes a unilateral variant discovered during the dissection of a 92-year-old African American female. Results: On the left side, the cadaver presents two distinct mandibular canals, each containing a branch of the inferior alveolar artery and mandibular nerve, the third division of the trigeminal. The nerves within the two canals were distinct from each other at the level of the posterior division of the mandibular nerve, within 1 cm of foramen ovale. Conclusion: This is the first description of such an occurrence and emphasizes the need for identification of the contents of a bifid or accessory mandibular canal prior to invasive procedures. Keywords: Mandibular canal, Inferior alveolar nerve, Mental nerve, Mental foramen, Maxillary artery