Abstract

TSHITE, K  and  OLALEYE, O. Location of mandibular foramen in adult black South African population: A morphometric analysis and investigation into possible radiographic correlation. S. Afr. dent. j. [online]. 2024, vol.79, n.4, pp.191-198. ISSN 0375-1562.  https://doi.org/10.17159/sadj.v79i04.18570.

INTRODUCTION: The mandibular foramen (MF) is located bilaterally just above the centre of internal surface of ramus of mandible, however, its exact position varies amongst different population groups. AIM: The aim of this study was to determine the exact location of mandibular foramen among black South African population using a possible correlation of radiographic and morphometric analysis. METHODS: A retrospective, cross-sectional study was conducted on a total of 253 adult dry human mandible specimens at Raymond A Dart Bone collection in the School of Anatomical Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, and twenty-four adult cone beam computed tomographic (CBCT) records of patients in Maxillofacial and Oral Radiology Unit, situated in Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital. The length, height, and distance of MF in relation to anterior and posterior border of ramus of mandible; superior and inferior border of mandible as well as distance in relation to coronoid and condyle were measured. Descriptive statistics of mean, standard deviation and frequency was used to summarize the data. RESULTS: For both radiographic and morphometric analyses, distance of MF to posterior region of ramus was smaller than that of MF to anterior region. Mandibular foramen was found to be situated more towards posterior region of ramus for both radiographic and morphometric analyses in all age cohorts. Males generally showed greater readings than females in all parameters, except mandibular foramen to posterior region (MF-P) measurement. No significant difference was noted amongst different age groups. CONCLUSION: The position of MF was constantly observed towards the posterior region of ramus of mandible for both radiographic and morphometric analyses which suggested that the chances of finding MF in the anterior border of ramus of mandible are limited. The anterior border of mandible can therefore be regarded as "safety zone" in a black South African population.

Keywords : Mandibular foramen; morphometric; sexual dimorphism; age.

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