Morphological study of unnamed foramina in north Indian human mandibles and its possible role in neurovascular transmission.

The present study was undertaken to investigate the different unnamed foramina in the mandible, placing more emphasis on the foramen present on the medial aspect of the mandible near the last molar teeth. Macerated mandibles in 4% of cases showed the presence of foramen. These were investigated for their possible role in neurovascular transmission. The unnamed medial foramen and the incisive foramen may transmit fibres from the nerve to mylohyoid, to supply the lower last molars and incisors, respectively, thereby providing escape of pain fibres to these teeth after the inferior dental nerve block by the local anaesthesia at the mandibular foramen. Mandibles dissected along with the attached muscles showed transmission of blood vessels through the foramina present at the insertion of muscles.