Variation in shape of the lingulae in the adult human mandible of Bangladeshi skulls

ABSTRACT

To ascertain the prevalence and forms of presentation of lingula in adult human mandible. Design: It is an observational study to evaluate the incidence and forms of presentation of lingulae in adult human mandible in Bangladeshi skulls. Setting: Department of Anatomy, Rajshahi Medical College; College of Physician and Surgeon, Dhaka; North Bengal Medical College Sirajganj, Bangladesh. The lingula of both sides of total 208 dry human mandibles are 171 males and 37 females. Depending on shape they were 3 types 1- triangular 292 [70.2%]; 2- truncated 84[20.2%]; 3-assimilated 40 [9.6%]. Bilaterally lingula were found triangular in 139, truncated in 37 and assimilated in 18 mandibles. Of the remaining 14 mandibles with different appearances on the two sides. Triangular had on left [11] and right [3] sides, truncated on left [2] and right [8] sides respectively. It is noted that, unilateral presentation of truncated type solely confined in male. But in assimilated type left [1] and right [3] sides. The incidence of different types were more common in male than female. As a whole the assimilated type is least common in female. The incidence and forms of presentation of lingula could be used as anthropological markers to assess different populations and races. Because of intimate relationship to the inferior alveolar nerve, it is clinically significant for the orodental surgeon