TOPOGRAPHY OF MYLOHYOID CANAL

Objective - to detect the presence of the mylohyoid canal in the anatomical preparations, to evaluate the possibility of its demonstration in a living person and to discuss the clinical significance of this variant of the anatomical structure of the mandible. Materials and methods: Macerated human mandibular samples from 93 persons were examined together with mandibular scans obtained with cone beam computed tomography (CBCT). Results: On anatomical preparations, the incidence of the mylohyoid canal was 5.4%. In 1 case, it was detected on both sides, in 4 cases - on one side. Mylohyoid canal was found in 4 CBCT scans in vivo. In 2 cases it was present bilaterally and in 2 cases - unilaterally. Conclusion: Mylohyoid canal is one of the taxonomic markers in conducting population studies, and can also serve as a cause of the tunnel syndrome associated with compression of the inferior alveolar and mylohyoid nerves, and inefficiency of traditional methods of anesthesia of the mandibular teeth.

mandible, mylohyoid canal, cone-beam computed tomography, mandibular anesthesia