Presence of Accessory Mandibular Foramina and Their Clinical Implications

A number of studies have reported that the accessory mandibular foramina are located mainly on the internal aspect of the body of the mandible. Accessory foramina are constant structures of human mandible, but their presence may result in complications to clinical dental care, if not properly identified, revealing the importance of studying the incidence of these variations. Furthermore, failures in the anaesthesia by regional blockade of the inferior alveolar nerve are reported due to the presence of these foramina. During the routine visual inspection of the mandible collection housed in the department of anatomy for osteology demonstration to medical and dental students, we found the presence of accessory foramina on the inner and outer surface of the body of the mandible. The knowledge of such anomaly is immensely helpful for dentists to take necessary precaution while giving anaesthesia for any dental procedures in this region.