Variations in position of lingual foramen of the mandible in reconstructive surgery.

Background: The mandible is the largest, strongest and the lowest bone in the face. At birth, the two halves of the mandible are united by a fibrous symphysis menti in the median plane and are replaced by bone after 1 year of postnatal life. Observations and Results: The posterior symphysial surface bears a small elevation often divided into upper and lower parts, the mental spines (genial tubercles). Discussion: Superior to the mental spines, most of the mandible displays a lingual foramen that opens into a canal traversing the bone containing a branch of the lingual artery. The main aim of this present study is to determine the location and variations of the lingual foramen so as to contribute additional information to our existing knowledge during surgical interventions of symphysis menti, especially during genioplasties and implants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]