CT anatomy of the anterior superior alveolar nerve canal: a macroscopic and microscopic study
- نوع فایل : کتاب
- زبان : انگلیسی
- مؤلف : Ray Tanaka • Takafumi Hayashi • Hayato Ohshima • Hiroko Ida-Yonemochi • Shin-ichi Kenmotsu • Makiko Ike
- چاپ و سال / کشور: 2011
Description
Objectives The aims of this study were to confirm the course of the anterior superior alveolar nerve (ASAN) canal in maxillary bone on CT images and to clarify the components of its contents to provide new evidence for neurovascularization of the anterior jaw bones. Methods The heads and two jaw bone specimens (maxillae) of three formalin-perfused cadavers were examined. The ASAN canal course was verified on cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images of the heads. Subsequently, the canal structures branching from the inferior orbital canal were dissected macroanatomically and compared with the CBCT images. Microanatomically, the ASAN canal was visualized in two bone specimens from the infraorbital region using micro-computed tomography (micro-CT). To verify the micro-CT findings, each specimen was sectioned for comparison with the histological observations. Results The gross anatomy revealed close correspondence between the course of the ASAN canal on CBCT images and that of the neurovascular bundle dissected from the canal structures branching from the inferior orbital canal. Microscopically, it was verified on micro-CT images that the ASAN canal contained neurovascular bundles including nerve bundles, arteries, and veins. Conclusions We confirmed that the canal-like structure in the anterior maxillary bone on CT images is the ASAN canal. It should be noted that the ASAN canal is filled with neurovascular structures. The present findings may provide useful information for clinicians assessing potential risks prior to anterior jaw bone surgical procedures.
Oral Radiol DOI 10.1007/s11282-011-0067-8 Received: 9 October 2010 / Accepted: 27 March 2011
