Mainous E G, Boyne P J
J Am Dent Assoc. 1975 Mar;90(3):666-8. doi: 10.14219/jada.archive.1975.0113.
The lingual mandibular bone concavity is not pathognomonic but is a radiographic bone entity. The origin of the entity and the histologic picture of the contents found within the concavity are probably related to the size and growth of the structures located in the submandibular space and the contiguous area. This accounted for the presence of normal submandibular space tissue contents in this patient and in nine of the ten patients whose conditions are reviewed in the literature. The question of whether a surgical exploration is indicated should be decided in terms of each individual case by the oral surgeon. However, only by performing a surgical exploration and submitting the tissue contents for a histopathologic examination can an accurate diagnosis be made. The general practitioner of dentistry should be aware of this bone entity and be prepared to discuss the condition with the patient and to refer the patient for exploration of the area if appropriate.
下颌舌侧骨凹陷并非具有诊断特异性，但它是一种影像学上的骨结构。该结构的起源以及在凹陷内发现的内容物的组织学表现可能与位于下颌下间隙及相邻区域的结构的大小和生长有关。这解释了该患者以及文献中所回顾的十例患者中的九例患者下颌下间隙组织内容物正常的情况。是否进行手术探查的问题应由口腔外科医生根据每个具体病例来决定。然而，只有通过进行手术探查并将组织内容物送去做组织病理学检查才能做出准确的诊断。牙科全科医生应该了解这种骨结构，并准备好与患者讨论病情，并在适当时将患者转诊至该区域进行探查。
