Anat Cell Biol.  2020 Jun;53(2):240-243. 10.5115/acb.19.194.

A case of inferior alveolar nerve encircling the arteria maxillaris

• Nayak U
• Vadgaonkar R
• Pai MM
• Murlimanju B

• KMID: 2503453
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5115/acb.19.194

Abstract

Here we report a case of inferior alveolar nerve (IAN), which had variability in its formation. IAN was formed by dual roots, which were branching out from the posterior division of mandibular nerve. The observed roots were forming a loop around the pterygoid part of arteria maxillaris (MA). One of the roots was superficial to the MA and the other was deep to it. It is believed that this type of morphological variation in the formation of IAN can have clinial implications, which include compression by adjacent structures and nerve entrapment. The knowledge of this variation is important to anaesthesiologists and dentists, while administering local anaesthesia. This is also enlightening to the maxillofacial surgeons, neurologists and radiologists.

Keyword

Inferior alveolar nerve; Mandibular nerve; Nerve compression syndromes

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Cadaveric specimen showing the variations observed in the right infra-temporal fossa of a female cadaver. 1, posterior division of mandibular nerve; 2, ATN; 3, lingual nerve; 4, IAN; 5, nerve to mylohyoid; 6, middle meningeal artery; 7, inferior alveolar artery; 8, artery to medial pterygoid; a, superficial root of IAN; b, deep root of IAN; ATN, auriculotemporal nerve; IAN, inferior alveolar nerve; MA, arteria maxillaris; MPt, medial pterygoid.

• 

  Fig. 2 Schematic diagram showing the variations observed in the present case. 1, superficial root of IAN; 2, deep root of IAN; AMPt, artery to medial pterygoid; ATN, auriculotemporal nerve; IAN, inferior alveolar nerve; LN, lingual nerve; MA, arteria maxillaris; MMA, middle meningeal artery; NMH, nerve to mylohyoid.

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