Mandibular canal vs. inferior alveolar canal: Evidence-based terminology analysis.

INTRODUCTION: The mandibular canal, as it was formerly named in Terminologia Anatomica (TA), has also been called the inferior alveolar (nerve) canal in many scientific publications. This study was conducted to investigate how these terms have been understood in different regions and different areas of expertise and to discuss the appropriate future application of the term "mandibular canal." METHODS: A literature search was conducted using PubMed, and articles using different terms for this structure were classified into two groups, inferior alveolar canal/inferior alveolar nerve canal (IAC/IANC) and the mandibular canal (MC). The 50 most recent articles in each group were included. Publication year, journal title, country of the first author, and affiliation of all authors were recorded in both groups for all 100 articles. RESULTS: There was a significant difference between the IAC/IANC and MC groups in the numbers of anatomy journals, other journals, and anatomy affiliations. Turkey published most frequently with a total of 15 articles, followed by Iran with 10 articles, and China/India/United States with seven each. When the six countries of the first author that had three or more publications in each group were compared, only Turkey appeared in both groups; otherwise, different countries were in the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the results of this analysis, and considering that the tentative new term "inferior alveolar foramen" is used in the latest TA, we suggest that the mandibular canal should be renamed the "inferior alveolar canal."

The Clinical Relevance of the Lingual Branch in Ridge Augmentation of the Posterior Mandible: A Pilot Cadaver Study.

Guided bone regeneration (GBR) requires a tension-free flap without damaging the collateral circulation in order to secure better surgical outcomes. Topographic knowledge regarding the neurovascular bundles in the posterior aspect of the mandible can prevent complications during lingual flap design. The lingual branch (LB) of the inferior alveolar or maxillary arteries is not sufficiently illustrated or described in the literature. Nevertheless, it has an intimate relationship with the lingual nerve (LN) during ridge augmentation and implant-related posterior mandible surgery. Therefore, this study aimed to clarify the morphology and topography of the LB related to GBR surgeries. In the present human cadaveric study, the LB was analyzed in 12 hemimandibles using latex injection and corrosion casting. Two types of LB were identified based on their origin and course. The LB was found in a common connective tissue sheath close to the LN. The LB assembled several anastomoses on the posterior lingual aspect of the mandible and retromolar area. The LB acted as an anatomical landmark in identifying LN at the posterior lingual aspect of the mandible.