Mental foramen

The mental foramen is located on the anterior surface of the mandible. It is directly below the commisure of the lips, and the tendon of depressor labii inferioris muscle. It is at the end of the mandibular canal, which begins at the mandibular foramen on the posterior surface of the mandible. It transmits the terminal branches of the inferior alveolar nerve (the mental nerve), The mental foramen is in line with the longitudinal axis of the second premolar in 63% of people. == Clinical significance ==

The mental nerve may be anaesthetized as it leaves the mental foramen. This causes loss of sensation to the lower lip and chin on the same side. == Additional images ==

File:Gray188.png|Side view of the skull. File:Foramen mentale.PNG|The skull from the front. File:Gray778.png|Distribution of the maxillary and mandibular nerves, and the submaxillary ganglion. File:Gray781.png|Mandibular division of the trifacial nerve. File:Gray1003.png|The permanent teeth, viewed from the right. == See also ==