THE PRESENCE OF ANTILINGULAAND ITS RELATION TO THE TRUE LINGULA – AN ANATOMICAL STUDY

Abstract

Background:Accurate and precise localisation of mandibular foramen during mandibular ramus osteotomies is an essential factor in avoiding damage to inferior alveolar nerve bundle. Thereare literatures suggesting lingula as a landmark for identifying mandibular foramen. But identication of lingula during the surgical procedure is difcult as it is on the medial aspectof ramus. The only external surface marking on the ascending ramus which is of any importance is a small bony prominence, the antilingula. So to establish a reliable relation between lingula and antilingula will be helpful to minimise damage to inferior alveolar bundle during mandibular ramus osteotomies. AIM - The purpose of the study is to evaluate the presence of antilingula and its true relation to Lingula in mandible Methods and Material: 17 human cadaver mandibles were used for this study. The mandibles were then sectioned through the symphysis. After stabilizing the hemi mandible, holes were made corresponding to lingula and antilingula. The relationship of the hole drilled from the true lingula was measured in millimeters to the marks denoting the position of the antilingula in the horizontal and vertical planes. Results: In our study all the observers identied the antilingula in all specimens. The greatest distance between the two points denoting the antilingula was 9 mm. The position of the antilingula varied from 7.5mm anterior to 4.5mm posterior and 8mm superior to 11.5mm inferior. It was located anterior to the foramen in 53.92% of cases and in 20.58% of cases it was posterior to the foramen. In our study 25.49% of cases the marked antilingula were found to be in the antero superior quadrant , In 26.47% of cases the antilingula was anteroinferior to lingula Conclusion :After anatomical and statistical evaluation we concluded that, the antilingula can be identied in all the mandibles and it can be used successfully for locating the mandibular foramen. It can be used as a reliable land mark during mandibular ramus osteotomy procedures to avoid damage to inferior alveolar nerve