title: The clinical anatomy of accessory mental nerves and foramina.
abstract: Since three-dimensional computed tomography was developed, many researchers have described accessory mental foramina. The anatomical and radiological findings have been discussed, but details of accessory mental nerves (AMNs) have only been researched in a small number of anatomical and clinical cases. For this article, we reviewed the literature relating to accessory mental foramina (AMFs) and nerves to clarify aspects important for clinical situations. The review showed that the distribution pattern of the AMN can differ according to the position of the accessory mental foramen, and the reported incidence of AMFs differs among observation methods. A review of clinical cases also revealed that injury to large AMF can result in paresthesia. This investigation did not reveal all aspects of AMNs and AMFs, but will be useful for diagnosis and treatment by many dentists and oral and maxillofacial surgeons.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume, Fukuoka, Japan.|Dental and Oral Medical Center, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume, Fukuoka, Japan.
authors.forename: Joe
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Iwanaga
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume, Fukuoka, Japan.
authors.forename: Tsuyoshi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Saga
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume, Fukuoka, Japan.
authors.forename: Yoko
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Tabira
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume, Fukuoka, Japan.|Dental and Oral Medical Center, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume, Fukuoka, Japan.
authors.forename: Moriyoshi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nakamura
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume, Fukuoka, Japan.|Dental and Oral Medical Center, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume, Fukuoka, Japan.
authors.forename: Sadaharu
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kitashima
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume, Fukuoka, Japan.
authors.forename: Koichi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Watanabe
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume, Fukuoka, Japan.|Dental and Oral Medical Center, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume, Fukuoka, Japan.
authors.forename: Jingo
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kusukawa
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume, Fukuoka, Japan.
authors.forename: Koh-Ichi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Yamaki
mesh_terms: D002680:Chin / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D008334:Mandible / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008340:Mandibular Nerve / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods
keywords: anatomy and histology; chin; diagnosis; embryology; innervation; oral surgical procedures; review