Study Of The Lingula In Dry Human Mandibles And Its Clinical Significance

ABSTRACT

Introduction: On medial aspect of ramus of mandible, there is small tongue like bony projection located near themargin of mandibular foramina called lingula. It lies close proximity to mandibular foramina, which transmitsthe inferior alveolar nerve and the corresponding artery to the mandibular canal. Bony derivatives of fisrtbrachial arch( Meckel’s cartilage) are the spine of sphenoid, maleus, incus and the part of the mandible bearingthe lingula.Materials and Methods: Present study has been carried out on Ninety (180 sides) dry human mandibles of northgujarat population in the anatomy department of various medical college of north gujarat. Height and distanceof lingula from various bony landmark of mandible were noted by measuring the following distances usingvernier calipers. The mean and standard deviation (S.D) of each measurement was calculated using Microsoftexcel.Result: We noted four different types of shape - triangular, truncated, nodular and assimilated. Truncatedlingula(42.22%) was most prevalent than Nodular(21.67%), Assimilated(20.56%), Triangular(15.55%) shapes.Average height (Mean + SD) of the lingula was 7.75 + 1.81 mm on both sides. Average distance of lingular tip toanterior and posterior border of ramus of mandible were 16.62 + 3.31 mm and 15.94 + 1.63 mm. Average distanceof lingula from mandibular notch and base of mandible were 16.05 + 2.85 mm and 34.16 + 2.96 mm.Conclution Present study’s findings may be helpful for dental surgeons to locate the lingula and importantstructures nearby while doing surgical procedures to avoid its damage.