Contribuição topográfica do forame e língula mandibular em procedimentos cirúrgicos no ramo da mandíbula

Objective: to analyze the topography and biometrics of the mandibular foramen and mandibular lingula in dry skulls to verify their variability and to determine their topographic positions. Material and method: to analyze the distances, measurements were made using a properly calibrated Mitutoyo® digital caliper to collect the distance in millimeters, from the center of the foramen to the four margins (anterior, posterior, superior and inferior) of the mandibular ramus (N=176). We performed the measurements of the mandibular foramen in millimeters to determine its external geometry. The mandibular lingula (N=76) was studied regarding its topographical location and shape when its structure was preserved. All data were documented in a data collection protocol aimed at drawing schematic diagrams and archiving the photographs of the cases and the analysis of the results. Results: in relation to the frequency, the foramen was present in all cases (100%), on both sides on the medial surface of the mandibular ramus. The number of foramen on each side is unique: 175 cases (99.5%) were observed. Only one foramen (0.5%) was double on the right side. Regarding its position in relation to the margins of the jaw, in most of them, it is located near the inferior margin, having varied between 9.6mm and 39.1mm, with an average of 26.0mm. The posterior margin of the jaw varied between 6.8mm and 24.0mm, with an average of 12.30mm. The mandibular lingula of the jaws were analyzed in 32 jaws (64 cases), having triangular shape (55%), present in most cases (86%) and in anterosuperior position in 43% of them. Conclusions: the mandibular foramen is an important anatomical element for the success of the inferior alveolar nerve block technique. Its accessory structure, the mandibular lingula, is a reference position in orthognathic surgery; due to its location and aspect, it serves as a protective shield for the inferior alveolar neurovascular bundle