Abstract：
BACKGROUND: The mandibular nerve and the mental foramen have occasionally shown variations in its anatomy. This report aims to present a case of lingual mental foramen recognised on three-dimensional cone beam computed tomographic imaging (CBCT).
METHODS: Routine Orthopantomogram (OPG) and CBCT images were evaluated to assess the status of impact third molars in a 31-year-old female who had visited the dental clinics in our institution. The OPG image failed to reveal any anatomic variation in the position of the mental foramen. On tracing the course of the mandibular canal in CBCT images, two foramina were traced at the region of premolar. One opened towards the buccal cortical plate at the normal position of the mental foramen and an accessory lingual mental foramen had an opening on the lingual cortical bone at the same level as the mental foramen.
CONCLUSIONS: Understanding variations of the mental foramen is extremely essential in dentistry to carry out successful anaesthetic or surgical interventions and to avoid complications such as nerve damage or excessive bleeding.
METHODS: Routine Orthopantomogram (OPG) and CBCT images were evaluated to assess the status of impact third molars in a 31-year-old female who had visited the dental clinics in our institution. The OPG image failed to reveal any anatomic variation in the position of the mental foramen. On tracing the course of the mandibular canal in CBCT images, two foramina were traced at the region of premolar. One opened towards the buccal cortical plate at the normal position of the mental foramen and an accessory lingual mental foramen had an opening on the lingual cortical bone at the same level as the mental foramen.
CONCLUSIONS: Understanding variations of the mental foramen is extremely essential in dentistry to carry out successful anaesthetic or surgical interventions and to avoid complications such as nerve damage or excessive bleeding.
摘要：
背景：下颌神经和精神孔偶尔显示其解剖结构的变化。本报告旨在介绍一例在三维锥形束计算机断层扫描成像（CBCT）上识别的舌状精神孔。
方法：评估了常规直视图（OPG）和CBCT图像，以评估在我们机构的牙科诊所就诊的31岁女性的第三磨牙的影响状态。OPG图像未能揭示精神孔位置的任何解剖变化。在CBCT图像中追踪下颌管的过程中，在前磨牙区域发现了两个孔。一个在精神孔的正常位置朝颊皮质板打开，一个副舌精神孔在舌皮质骨上的开口与精神孔的水平相同。
结论：了解精神孔的变异在牙科中对于成功进行麻醉或手术干预以及避免神经损伤或过度出血等并发症是极其重要的。
方法：评估了常规直视图（OPG）和CBCT图像，以评估在我们机构的牙科诊所就诊的31岁女性的第三磨牙的影响状态。OPG图像未能揭示精神孔位置的任何解剖变化。在CBCT图像中追踪下颌管的过程中，在前磨牙区域发现了两个孔。一个在精神孔的正常位置朝颊皮质板打开，一个副舌精神孔在舌皮质骨上的开口与精神孔的水平相同。
结论：了解精神孔的变异在牙科中对于成功进行麻醉或手术干预以及避免神经损伤或过度出血等并发症是极其重要的。
