title: Multiplanar MR and anatomic study of the mandibular canal.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the MR appearance of the mandibular canal and its contents.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cadaveric mandibles were imaged at 1.5 T and 3 T, then sectioned with a cryomicrotome. The size, shape, signal intensity, and pattern of structures in the mandibular canal were identified on MR images by comparing them with corresponding anatomic sections.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The inferior alveolar nerve and connective tissue were identified on the 1.5-T and 3-T images in the mandibular canal. Within the nerve the axon bundles were distinguished from the nerve sheath on the 3-T images.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study suggests that MR images can show excellent anatomic detail in the mandibular canal.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee 53226, USA.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ikeda
authors.forename: K C
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Ho
authors.forename: B H
authors.initials: BH
authors.lastname: Nowicki
authors.forename: V M
authors.initials: VM
authors.lastname: Haughton
mesh_terms: D002102:Cadaver; D002610:Cheek / Q000294:innervation; D003238:Connective Tissue / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008340:Mandibular Nerve / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D013704:Temporomandibular Joint / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000294:innervation; D014059:Tongue / Q000294:innervation