International Journal of Anatomy and Physiology

International Journal of Anatomy and Physiology | Vol. 15, No. 11, November 2026 | pp. 145–153

DOI: 10.46882/2026/IJAP/001017

Research Article

Title: Morphometric Analysis of the Mental Foramen and Accessory Mental Foramen Using Cone-Beam Computed Tomography

Names of Authors: M. K. Al-Shammari¹, S. R. Naidoo², Y. K. Tanaka³*

Authors’ Affiliations:
¹ Department of Anatomy, College of Medicine, Baghdad University, Baghdad, Iraq.
² Department of Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa.
³ Department of Oral Anatomy, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan.

Abstract:
Precise localization of the mental foramen is essential to avoid neurovascular injury during dental implant placement, orthognathic surgery, and regional nerve blocks. This study evaluated the anatomical position, shape, orientation, and incidence of the accessory mental foramen (AMF) in an adult population using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). Retrospective analysis of 350 CBCT scans (185 males, 165 females) was conducted. The most common horizontal position of the mental foramen was in line with the longitudinal axis of the second mandibular premolar (56.4%), followed by a position between the first and second premolars (31.2%). The foramen exhibited an oval shape in 74.2% of cases and a round shape in 25.8%. An AMF was observed in 8.5% of the subjects, occurring more frequently unilaterally than bilaterally. The mean distance from the mental foramen to the lower border of the mandible was significantly greater in males than in females (14.2 ± 1.1 mm vs. 12.5 ± 0.9 mm; p < 0.05). The predominant direction of the mental canal opening was superior-posterior (78.6%). These radiographic measurements indicate that significant variations exist in the mental region's vascular pathways. Utilizing high-resolution CBCT preoperatively provides valuable regional mapping to reduce the incidence of post-operative neurosensory disturbances in the lower lip and chin.

Keywords: Mental foramen, Accessory mental foramen, Cone-beam computed tomography, Mandible, Premolar.

Manuscript Timeline: Received: July 12, 2026; Revised: September 15, 2026; Accepted: October 05, 2026; Published: November 02, 2026.

Citation: Al-Shammari MK, Naidoo SR, Tanaka YK. Morphometric Analysis of the Mental Foramen and Accessory Mental Foramen Using Cone-Beam Computed Tomography. International Journal of Anatomy and Physiology. 2026; 15(11): 145–153. doi:10.46882/2026/IJAP/001017

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