The alveolar canals and foramina in the first edition of Terminologia Oroanatomica: a preview

Abstract

Anatomy was initially developed out of necessity to decrease surgery complications. Over time, anatomists and surgeons have sometimes used different terms for the same anatomical structures, thus resulting in numerous discrepancies in terminology between anatomy and surgery. To avoid any confusion or misunderstanding and to better elucidate the oral anatomy terms, the Federative International Programme for Anatomical Terminology (FIPAT) organized a group of specialists on oral anatomy, Terminologia Oroanatomica (ToA) working group, composed of dentists, anatomy researchers, anatomy educators, oral and maxillofacial surgeons, and oral and maxillofacial radiologists. Within the ToA working group, major anatomical structures in the mandible, such as the mandibular canal, were focused and discussed to determine the most appropriate term, i.e., inferior alveolar canal. Although yet to be approved by the International Federation of Associations of Anatomists (IFAA), this article will preview some changes suggested by the ToA.