title: The anatomic structure of the inferior alveolar neurovascular bundle in the third molar region.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The arrangement of the structures within the inferior alveolar neurovascular bundle has not been clearly defined. Because this could be of importance in surgery involving the inferior alveolar canal, a study was undertaken.
  
  
  METHODS
  The inferior alveolar neurovascular bundle was dissected from 8 cadaveric mandibles and examined for the arrangement of the inferior alveolar artery, vein, and nerve. Histologic sections were taken for examination, and simultaneously, the bundle was exposed as part of a clinical surgical procedure for a marginal resection of the mandible.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All 3 studies confirm that the inferior alveolar vein lies superior to the nerve and that there are often multiple veins. The artery appears to be solitary and lies on the lingual side of the nerve, slightly above the horizontal position. This position appeared to be consistent in all cases.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Knowledge of the arrangement of the inferior alveolar artery vein and nerve within the inferior alveolar canal can be of importance in surgical procedures that may involve these structures. Dentoalveolar surgery, implant-related surgery, and surgery for trauma or pathology could involve these structures.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143-0440, USA. tony.pogrel@UCSF.edu
authors.forename: M Anthony
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Pogrel
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Dorfman
authors.forename: Heshaam
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Fallah
mesh_terms: D019412:Anatomy, Cross-Sectional; D000718:Anatomy, Regional; D006801:Humans; D008334:Mandible / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000098:blood supply / Q000294:innervation; D008340:Mandibular Nerve / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D008438:Maxillary Artery / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D008964:Molar, Third