Morphometry of the human mandible from Thailand

Abstract

Objective: To determine the distances from the mandibular foramen (MDF) and the mental foramen (MTF) to surrounding anatomic landmarks on the mandible and mandibular dimensions and to investigate asymmetry in those measurements. Materials and Methods: The present study was undertaken to determine the distance from the MDF and the MTF to surrounding anatomic landmarks and the mandibular dimensions. Measurement and observation of 33 parameters were performed on both sides of 180 dried adult human mandibles. The data were analyzed by descriptive statistics as means and standard deviations. Comparison between sides for each measurement was done by paired student's t test. (P < 0.05) Results: The significant differences in sides were found in some parameters. These included the distance from MDF to the condyloid process, MDF to the coronoid process, MDF to internal oblique ridge, MDF to preangular notch, MDF to posterior border of the ramus, MTF to inferior rim of the mandible, MTF to mandible symphysis, MTF to posterior border of the ramus, MTF to condyloid process and the total length of the ramus. In addition, the width and depth of mandibular notch were also significant differences. There was no accessory mandibular foramen detected in this study. In contrast, accessory mental foramen was found in 7 cases. The majority of mental foramen was lacated below the second premolar (70%). Torus mandibularis was found in 18 mandibles. Conclusion: Asymmetry was found in some distances. These data is clinically important when the mandible when the mandible surgery is required. The data will also be used a standard reference for Thai people.