title: Anatomical Study of the Posterior Mandible: Lateral Lingual Foramina in Cone Beam Computed Tomography.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the lateral lingual foramen (LLF), an aperture located in the posterior lingual mandible area, through cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) images.
  
  
  METHODS
  To evaluate the LLF presence through 100 CBCT images. Presence of LLF was compared between sex and age. Width and height were determined and the distance from the LLF to the mental foramen (LLF-MF) and that of the LLF to the lower mandible border (LLF-LBM) were obtained.
  
  
  RESULTS
  LLF was observed in 39% of the examinations and 52 LLF were found and the most prevalent area of occurrence was at the second premolar area. The mean width was 1.26 ± 0.57 mm and the mean height was 1.82 ± 1.12 mm. The mean values of LLF-MF and LLF-LBM distances were 12.74 ± 7.7 and 5.82 ± 2.78 mm, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  LLF are asymmetrical structures with bilateral or unilateral distribution, located in the second premolar region close to the LBM.
authors.affiliation: *PhD Student, Department of Stomatology, Bauru School of Dentistry, University of São Paulo, Bauru, Brazil. †Collaborator Researcher, Department of Stomatology, Bauru School of Dentistry, University of São Paulo, Bauru, Brazil. ‡Professor of Stomatology and Radiology, Radiology Department, North Paraná University, Londrina, Brazil. §Professor of Stomatology and Radiology, Department of Stomatology, Bauru School of Dentistry, University of São Paulo, Bauru, Brazil. ¶Professor of Stomatology and Radiology, Department of Stomatology, Bauru School of Dentistry, University of São Paulo, Bauru, Brazil.
authors.forename: Carla R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Sanomiya Ikuta
authors.forename: Luciana M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Paes da Silva Ramos Fernandes
authors.forename: Marcelo L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Poleti
authors.forename: Ana L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Alvares Capelozza
authors.forename: Izabel R
authors.initials: IR
authors.lastname: Fischer Rubira-Bullen
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D054893:Cone-Beam Computed Tomography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012737:Sex Factors