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Volume-12 Number-2, 2025 / Original Article

Morphometric Analysis of Mandibular Foramina in Adult Nigerian Mandible

Author:

Suwebat Bidemi Kareem
Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Ilorin. PMB 1515, Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria.
Ajiboye Adefikayo Adebisi
Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical and Health Sciences, Thomas Adewumi University, Oko, Kwara State, Nigeria.
Olugbenga Olawale Eweoya
Department of Anatomical Sciences, UniAbuja, Abuja Nigeria.
Aminu Imam
Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Ilorin. PMB 1515, Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria.
Misturah Yetunde Adana
Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Ilorin. PMB 1515, Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria.
Moyosore Salihu Ajao
Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Ilorin. PMB 1515, Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria

Abstract:

Background and Objective: The mental neurovascular bundle emerges at the mandibular foramina (MF) a significant anatomical landmark on the anterolateral part of the jaw. Its morphological features, and precise location have important clinical implications for dental anesthesia, implant placement, and surgical procedures of the lower jaw. Population-dependent variations in the MF characteristics, however, are very common, and studies on Nigerian mandibles have been remarkably sparse. The present study was undertaken to provide crude morphometric data on the incidence, location, size, and accessory foramina of the MF in a Nigerian sample population.

Materials and Methods: The study entailed the analysis of sixty adult human mandibles (36 males and 24 females) stored in the Department of Anatomy, University of Ilorin. All specimens were complete and free of any deformity. Measurements were collected using a calibrated Vernier caliper, in a nominally modified version of the method of Alma et al. The positional relationship with the adjacent teeth was considered, and the occurrence of accessory mental foramina (AMF) was noted. Data were statistically processed using SPSS version 21.0, and it facilitated the generation of descriptive statistics.

Results: Bilateral MF were found in all mandibles studied. Circular patterns were more common than oval ones, appearing in 58.33% of cases on the left and 66.67% of cases on the right. With 48.33% on the right and 58.33% on the left, the foramen was most frequently observed in connection with the second premolar tooth. On average, the transverse size was 4.19 ± 1.18 mm on the left and 3.98 ± 1.17 mm on the right, while the vertical dimension was 3.06 ± 0.80 mm on the right and 3.19 ± 0.92 mm on the left. 8.33% of the left sides, and 11.67% of the right sides had accessory foramina.

Conclusion: The present findings support that the MF in Nigerian mandibles is predominantly circular and most frequently found at the level of the second premolar. The presence of accessory foramina in some specimens highlights the necessity for careful preoperative evaluation. These anatomical structures are not only important for dental, and maxillofacial surgeons, but also carry immense anthropological and forensic significance.

Keywords:

Accessory foramina, Mandible, Morphometry, Premolar region, Nigerian population.

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View in DOI 10.24041/ejmr.2025.17