Position, Direction And Size Of The Mental Foramina Of The Mandibles Of Adult Male Southern Nigerians.

The purpose of this study was to determine the most common position, direction and size of the mental foramen in southern Nigeria population. Fifty nine (59) dry male mandibles were examined with the 1 and 2 premolars and the first molar as reference points. A digital vernier caliper was used to measure the vertical and horizontal diameters of the foramina. The position, direction and size of the mental foramina of the left parts of the mandibles were compared with the same features of the right sides of the bones. The Z-test was used to analyze data obtained for statistical significance. Results showed that the most common position of the mental foramen was in line with the long axis of the second premolar 54.24%, followed by the position between the 1 and 2 premolars (25.42%). The most common course seen was posteriorsuperior 88.14% and posterioly 11.86% .The mean horizontal diameter of the left and right sides of the mandible were (4.25 ± 0.006mm) and (3.97 ± 0.06mm) respectively. In conclusion, the most common position, direction and size of the mental foramen in adult male southern Nigerians is in line with the long axis of the second premolar tooth, the most common course is posterior-superior, respectively. The mental foramen of the left side of the mandible is slightly larger than the right side in Southern Nigeria.