An atypical path of the lingual nerve in the retromolar region: Incidence in oral surgery

Abstract

The Lingual nerve is frequently anesthetized during oral, maxillofacial or otorhinolaryngology surgery. It originates below the oval hole in the infratemporal region, follows its path down and forward, and moves away from the medial surface of the ramus and goes just above the mylohyoid line. It approaches the lateral margin of the tongue and crosses the Wharton's canal, and divides into numerous branches. As described in the literature, some cases of temporomandibular joint syndrome or myofascial pain syndrome could be a result of its anatomical variations. Also, the jurisprudence has always tried to condemn the practitioner if he did not demonstrate that the path of the injured nerve presents an anomaly which makes his involvement inevitable. The purpose is to present one of the multiple atypical paths of the lingual nerve not described in the retromandibular trigone demonstrating that its damage constitutes a risk that cannot be controlled.