Bilateral incomplete mandibular canals: an embryological analysis of their possible etiology
Issued Date
2025-10-13
Resource Type
eISSN
12798517
Scopus ID
2-s2.0-105018647157
Pubmed ID
41083728
Journal Title
Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy SRA
Volume
47
Issue
1
Rights Holder(s)
SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy SRA Vol.47 No.1 (2025) , 233
Suggested Citation
Rumpansuwon K., Berkban T., Kruepunga N., Weerachatyanukul W., Asuvapongpatana S., Chaiyamoon A., Jitaree B., Tubbs R.S., Iwanaga J., Senarai T., Suwannakhan A. Bilateral incomplete mandibular canals: an embryological analysis of their possible etiology. Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy SRA Vol.47 No.1 (2025) , 233. doi:10.1007/s00276-025-03749-y Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/123456789/112659
Title
Bilateral incomplete mandibular canals: an embryological analysis of their possible etiology
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Abstract
PURPOSE: This study aims to report a previously undocumented anatomical variation of the mandible and investigate its developmental origin using embryological analysis. METHODS: Anatomical inspection and computed tomography were performed on a dried human mandible from a male cadaver of unknown age. Additionally, serial histological sections from a Carnegie Stage 23 human embryo were reconstructed in 3D model to examine the spatial relationships between the developing mandible and surrounding structures. RESULTS: The mandibular canal exhibited breaching of the medial wall into the lingual cortex on both sides. Computed tomography confirmed that the canals originated from the mandibular foramen and gave rise to the mental foramina at the medial third of the mandible. These defects were found along with a left-sided Stafne bone cavity. Embryological analysis revealed a close spatial proximity between the developing mandible, the inferior alveolar nerve, and the salivary glands, supporting the hypothesis that incomplete ossification could result from variant nerve positioning or glandular entrapment. CONCLUSION: This study presents rare anatomical variations of the mandibular canal and their possible developmental mechanism. These findings have implications for radiological interpretation and surgical planning involving the mandible.