title: CT scan study of the mandibular nerve intra-mandibular path.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  It is mandatory to know the anatomic path of the mandibular nerve and its intra-mandibular connections for numerous odontology, stomatology, and maxillofacial surgical procedures. We present a computed tomography study of the mandibular nerve intra-mandibular path.
  
  
  METHODS
  The computed tomography of 14 mandibles was performed (vestibulo-lingual cross-section) and four landmarks were defined behind the mental foramen. At each landmark, we measured the distance between the alveolar canal and the two cortical layers in the vestibulo-lingual plane, and the distance between the alveolar canal and the alveolar crest, and the inferior border of the mandible in the vertical plane.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the vestibulo-lingual plane, the mandibular nerve is located close to the vestibular cortical layer, then to the lingual cortical before it exits. In the crestal plane, it is located at the superior third of the inferior border of the mandible.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In spite of anatomical variability, there is a globally common path which means that the utmost caution should be taken by performing systematic imaging before undertaking any surgery close to the nerve.
authors.affiliation: Service de chirurgie maxillofaciale et stomatologie, hôpital Charles-Nicolle, CHU de Rouen, 1 rue de Germont, Rouen cedex, France. sdrikes@hotmail.fr
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Drikes
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Delcampe
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sabin
authors.forename: J-F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Lavis
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Cordier
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Vacher
authors.forename: J-M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Péron
mesh_terms: D000539:Alveolar Process / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000294:innervation; D019412:Anatomy, Cross-Sectional; D002508:Cephalometry / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods; D008334:Mandible / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000294:innervation*; D008340:Mandibular Nerve / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D012984:Software; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*