Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The location and inter relationship of the structures of the inferior alveolar neurovascular bundle within the mandibular canal has not been clearly defined. The knowledge of the same is important while planning surgeries in the posterior mandible. METHODS: Eight cadaveric mandibles were dissected and sections were made at the distal aspect of every tooth. The inferior alveolar neurovascular bundle was identified and examined for the location of the inferior alveolar artery, vein and nerve. Hematoxylin and Eosin sections were made for each specimen to confirm the position of these structures. RESULTS: All the sections in all the specimens confirmed that a blood vessel lies superior to the nerve. This position appeared consistent in all the positions relative to all the posterior teeth. There was a variation in the bucco-lingual positioning of these structures relative to each other for the various mandibles. CONCLUSION: A blood vessel is found to always lie superior to the inferior alveolar nerve within the mandibular canal. Variations in the inter relationship of the structures is present. SIGNIFICANCE: This cadaveric study proves that all along the course of the neurovascular bundle, at various cross-sections studied, the inferior nerve is always inferior to a blood vessel. There can be great variations to the positioning of the structures within the neurovascular bundle in the bucco-lingual dimension and also in the exit of the nerve in various mandibles. Knowledge of the location of the structures is of importance during surgical procedures carried out in the vicinity of these structures.