title: [Intramandibular course and anatomic structure of the inferior alveolar nerve canal].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To study the intramandibular course and anatomic structure of mandibular canal.
  
  
  METHODS
  The intramandibular course of mandibular canal and its dimension were measured in 15 adults mandibles with teeth; the relationship between blood vessel and nerve was observed in 4 fresh samples in which the artery was filled.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mandibular canal was close to the lingual side and the inferior margin of the mandible. The blood vessel lay above nerve in the mandibular canal.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In implant operation performed according to normal anatomy, injury to inferior alveolar nerve may be avoided. Hemorrhage is the earliest manifestation suggesting that continuing drill may damage the inferior alveolar nerve.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Medical College, Qingdao University, Qingdao Shandong 266003, China.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Tan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003757:Dental Implantation; D006801:Humans; D008334:Mandible / Q000098:blood supply / Q000294:innervation*; D008340:Mandibular Nerve / Q000033:anatomy & histology*