Morphological and Morphometric Study of the Mental Foramen on the M-CP-18 Jiachenjiang Point

Abstract

ARAÚJO, A. L. D.; DA SILVA, C. M. F.; SOUSA-RODRIGUES, C. F.; LIMA, F. J. C. Morphological and morphometric study of the mental foramen on the M-CP-18 jiachenjiang point. Int. J. Morphol., 27(1):231-238, 2009. SUMMARY: The purpose of this work was to study the morphology and morphometry of the mental foramen (MF), as well as to evaluate its morphological configuration; in addition to taking measures of its localization using as a parameter the distances of the foramen to the inferior border of the mandible and at the alveolar ridge. 80 dry mandibles were analyzed using the test of Qui-square and T test, with 5% of significance. Its average distance, on the right side, at the inferior edge of the mandible (IEM) was of 12.96(± 1.57) mm and of the alveolar ridge (AR) was of 12.82(± 3.4) mm. On the left side it was found distant of IEM 12.96(± 1.32) mm and of the AR 12.82(± 3.22)mm. The largest horizontal diameter found was of 3.32 (± 0.91) mm to the right and 3.25 (± 0.86) mm to the left side while the largest vertical diameter was of 2.38 (± 0.63) mm on the right and of 2.39 (± 0.58) mm on the left side. It was predominantly found in the oval form, on the right side, of which 98.3% presented as a larger diameter the horizontal (type I). On the left side, all the oval foramens were classified as of type I. 76 (95%) appeared single on both sides. As to the localization related to the mandibular dentition, it was localized in similar statistic proportions between the 1 st and 2 nd premolars and above the 2 nd premolar, in 45.17% of the mandibles, on the right side. On the left side it was predominantly found between the 1 st and 2 nd premolars 48.48% of the mandibles. The study of the MF is of vital importance to the acupuncture practice, as well as to modern surgical procedures, like anesthesia, requiring a detailed and precise study of the morphology and morphometry of the area.