title: The study of antilingula and its relation to the lingula and mandibular foramen, the presence of mylohyoid bridging in dry mandibles of South Indian population.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The mandibular foramen and the lingula, because of their relation to the inferior alveolar nerve are of clinical significance for the orodental surgeons. Identification of the antilingula is important in mandibular ramus surgery in which the medial surface of the ramus is not visualized.
  
  
  METHODS
  The present study includes adult dry 50 mandibles of unknown age and sex. The measurements were taken using vernier calipers. The points taken for measurements were most prominent point on antilingula, tip of lingula, most anterior, posterior and inferior points of mandibular foramen. The measurements were denoted as A, B, C and D which represent the anterior, posterior, superior and inferior distances.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Antilingula was present on right side in 25 and on left side in 28 mandibles. There was a significant difference in distances in mean between the antilingula and mandibular foramen of both the sides (p < 0.001). Retromolar foramen was observed in 6 mandibles. Mylohyoid bridging was seen in 3 mandibles.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The mandibular foramen was located posterosuperior to the antilingula on both the sides. There was no statistical significance in the distances between the lingula and the antilingula. Therefore antilingula can be used as an important surgical landmark for locating the mandibular foramen in mandibular ramus osteotomies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal University, Manipal, Karnataka India.
authors.forename: Mamatha
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hosapatna
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal University, Manipal, Karnataka India.
authors.forename: Vrinda Hari
authors.initials: VH
authors.lastname: Ankolekar
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal University, Manipal, Karnataka India.
authors.forename: Antony Sylvan
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: D'Souza
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal University, Manipal, Karnataka India.
authors.forename: Chenna
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Deepika
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal University, Manipal, Karnataka India.
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: D'Souza
keywords: Antilingula; Lingula; Mandibular foramen; Retromolar foramen