title: Morphometric study of mandibular foramen in macerated skulls to contribute to the development of sagittal split ramus osteotomy (SSRO) technique.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to provide morphometric data, obtained from macerated mandibles, which might facilitate the topographic location of the mandibular foramen, considering aspects such as gender, age and ethnicity.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred and eighty-five macerated mandibles of adult black and white individuals of both sexes were analyzed. Initially, 5 points were established: MF, the lowest point of the mandibular foramen; S, greatest concavity of the mandibular notch; A, anterior margin of the ramus of mandible; P, posterior margin of the ramus of mandible; and Go, gonion. Then the following measurements were performed bilaterally: MF-S, MF-A, MF-P and MF-Go.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The following mean values were found: MF-S: 21.02 mm for white females (WF) and 22.00 mm for black females (BF); 24.40 mm for white males (WM) and 24.35 mm for black males (BM); MF-A: 17.05 mm for WF and 18.09 mm for BF; 17.18 mm for WM and 18.11 mm for BM; MF-P: 11.11 mm for WF and 12.24 mm for BF; 13.10 mm for WM and 14.15 mm for BM; MF-Go: 19.00 mm for WF and 19.44 mm for BF; 23.13 mm for WM and 22.12 mm for BM.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The values found in this study, considering gender, age and ethnic group, can be used as a parameter to carry out the sagittal split ramus osteotomy technique, making it more predictable and with less risk of complications.
authors.affiliation: CIMA Research Group, Faculty of Dentistry, Universidad de La Frontera, Avenue Manuel Montt, 112. Casilla 54-D., Temuco, Chile, niltonnalves@yahoo.com.br.
authors.forename: Nilton
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Alves
authors.forename: Naira Figueiredo
authors.initials: NF
authors.lastname: Deana
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D059925:Anatomic Landmarks; D044383:Black People; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D008954:Models, Biological; D059229:Osteotomy, Sagittal Split Ramus; D044465:White People; D055815:Young Adult