title: Rare courses of the mandibular canal in the molar regions of the human mandible: a cadaveric study.
abstract: The inferior alveolar artery, vein and nerve send some branches to the molar teeth via the mandibular canal to the mental foramen. The present study attempted to define the presence and course of the mandibular canal in the mandible with the alveolar process by macroscopic cadaveric dissection and computerized tomography (CT) in order to provide information that might prevent injuries to vessels and nerves at risk during root canal treatment. We identified the position of the mandibular canal within a 30% ratio of the distance from inferior border of mandible to the apices of the root for 39 out of 131 sides (mesial root of first molar, 20%; distal root of first molar, 22.6%; mesial root of second molar, 27.8% and distal root of second molar, 47%) on panoramic X-ray observation. In one cadaver (male, 64 years old), the root apex of the second molar was in close proximity to the upper bony mandibular canal. Macroscopic dissection and computerized tomography showed that the main trunks of the inferior alveolar artery, vein, and nerve were in tight contact with the apex of the second molar. These observations of the anatomic course of the mandibular canal will be important to consider during root canal treatment of mandibular teeth.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, School of Dentistry at Tokyo, Nippon Dental University, Tokyo, Japan. iwaoa1@tokyo.ndu.ac.jp
authors.forename: Iwao
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Sato
authors.forename: Ryuji
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ueno
authors.forename: Taisuke
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kawai
authors.forename: Takashi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Yosue
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002680:Chin / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000098:blood supply / Q000294:innervation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000098:blood supply / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000294:innervation; D008875:Middle Aged; D008963:Molar / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000098:blood supply / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000294:innervation; D019647:Oral Surgical Procedures; D011862:Radiography, Panoramic; D012390:Root Canal Therapy; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014092:Tooth Root / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000098:blood supply / Q000601:surgery