After the 2013 special issue devoted to the cranial nerves and the face, numerous studies about the lower part of the face were submitted, and we proposed to continue in this field of clinical anatomy, and to propose this 2014 topic “Around the mandible”.

Through this title, we aimed to consider the bone itself, the very particular course of nerves within intra-osseous canals, the foramina entering and exiting of the nerves, the imaging for depicting these structures, and some variations. Moreover, the clinical expression of the pathologies of the mandible or of the temporomandibular joint justified to include studies about this joint. To support the difficult diagnosis of pain in this area, a regional and rare case of variation is exposed.

At last, specific anatomical conditions as edentulate patients may lead to remodeling the mandible and change the anatomical features.

We hope you will enjoy this short travel around the mandible.