Introduction: The mandibular foramen (MF) acts as a conduit to the inferior alveolar nerve and vessels. Determining the location of MF is very crucial to avoid injury to the inferior alveolar nerve during inferior alveolar nerve block or surgical intervention. To study the variable shapes of the lingula is very important for surgical procedures due to its relation to the neurovascular structure. The accessory MFs are foramina other than mandibular, mental, and lingual foramina. Aim: The present study aims to locate the MF, assess the shape of the lingula, and report the incidence of accessory MFs bilaterally. Methods: The present study was performed in the Department of Anatomy, King George's Medical University, Lucknow, India, on 30 adult human mandibles of North Indian origin and unknown sex. Distance of MF was taken in millimeters from various reference points of the mandible. The tests, like technical error of measurement, relative technical error of measurement and overall mean difference were used for intra-observer and interobserver reliability of measurements. We noted the prevalence of the shape of the lingula and the incidence of accessory MFs in percentage. A paired t-test was used as a statistical test. Results: Results revealed no significant difference in the location of MF from different bony features bilaterally. The most prevalent shape of the lingula on both sides of the mandible was truncated. Accessory MFs were present in 36.66% of mandibles. Conclusions: The present study will help in assessing the precise location of MF, shapes of lingula, and incidence of accessory MFs, which will aid maxillofacial surgeons and oncologists in improving surgical outcomes by reducing failure of inferior alveolar nerve block. For the exact localization of MF in the North Indian population, one additional criterion, i.e., distance from MF to the tip of coronoid process, was taken in the present study.

Pratibha Shakya has completed her MD from Banaras Hindu University which is one of the most reputed universities of India. She is budding anatomist with a keen interest in research and currently working as Assistant Professor in King George’s Medical University, Lucknow, India. She has participated and presented numerous papers in lot of conferences. She has many publications in PubMed and Scopus indexed journals. Many students completed research papers and projects under her guidance. She reviewed several papers in many reputed journals. She also received appreciation for reviewing many textbooks of Anatomy. Her passion for learning enabled her to complete certificate course in evidence-based diabetes management (CCEBDM) and certificate course in cardiovascular disease and stroke (CCCS) successfully. She is a member of many prestigious anatomical Anatomical society of UK.