Relationship Between Lingual Foramen and Mental Spines, and Evaluation of Lingual Canal by Using Periapical and Extra-Oral Radiographs

Alejandro Hidalgo R. & Jaime San Pedro V.

Summary

Radiological location of lingual foramen is described by traditional dental literature in the median line in the lingual aspect of the mandible, between mental spines, both in periapical and panoramic radiographs. Traditionally the radiopaque area surrounding the lingual foramen is described as produced by mental spines. This interpretation currently is controversial. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship of lingual foramen with mental spines by looking directly at the dry mandibles, and by looking at periapical and panoramic radiographs; to determine trajectory of lingual canal by using linear tomographies of the area of interest, and describe radiographic representation from the absorption projectional point of view. This investigation demonstrated that the radiopaque area surrounding the lingual foramen is not produced by mental spines. KEY WORDS: dental, radiography, mandible, median line, anatomical landmarks, panoramic, radiography, mental spines, lingual foramen.

How to cite this article

HIDALGO, A. & SAN PEDRO, J. Relationship between lingual foramen and mental spines, and evaluation of lingual canal by using intra and extra-oral radiographs. Int. J. Odontostomat., 4(3):295-302, 2010.