Evaluation of Various Morphology and Location of Lingula and Prevalence of Accessory Mandibular Foramina Using Cone Beam Computed Tomography: A Retrospective Study

Abstract

Background: The Mandibular Lingula (ML) is a tongue-shaped bony

prominence that overlies the Mandibular Foramen (MF). Due to its association with important structures, it is used as an important anatomical landmark. The Accessory Mandibular Foramen (AMF) is an anatomical variation occasionally found on the ramus. The purpose of current study was to evaluate and standardize the various morphologies and precise locations of the lingula and the prevalence of accessory mandibular foramina using Cone-Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT). To observe the age and sex differences in ML.

Methods: This was a retrospective institution- based study conducted using 400 samples of CBCT images acquired from the dental archives of the Radiology Department. All the data samples were assessed using RadiAnt DICOM viewer software. The data were subjected to statistical analysis using the chi-square test, and an independent sample t-test was used to assess the height and position of ML between males and females. A One-way ANOVA were used to compare the age-wise difference in height and position of the ML.

Results: The most commonly observed morphology of mandibular l ingula in the study was nodular (41.8%). Based on sex, nodular shape was most common in males ( 55.1%), and triangular shape was more common in females (47.3%). The overall incidence of AMF is 1.5% in this study.

Conclusion: Hence, these imaging findings will be helpful to oro -dental surgeons to avoid complications and anthropologists in forensic aspects.