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

  • Review Article
  • Convergence and Divergence of Anatomical Terminology
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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.

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Acknowledgements

The author sincerely thanks those who donated their bodies to science, so that anatomical research could be performed. Results from such research can potentially increase mankind’s overall knowledge that can then improve patient care. Therefore, these donors and their families deserve our highest gratitude (Iwanaga et al. 2021b).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Anatomy, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan

    Joe Iwanaga

  2. Department of Neurosurgery, Tulane Center for Clinical Neurosciences, Tulane University School of Medicine, 131 S. Robertson St. Suite 1300, New Orleans, LA, 70112, USA

    Joe Iwanaga

  3. Department of Neurology, Tulane Center for Clinical Neurosciences, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, USA

    Joe Iwanaga

  4. Department of Structural & Cellular Biology, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, USA

    Joe Iwanaga

  5. Dental and Oral Medical Center, Kurume University School of Medicine, 67 Asahi-machi, Kurume, Fukuoka, Japan

    Joe Iwanaga

  6. Division of Gross and Clinical Anatomy, Department of Anatomy, Kurume University School of Medicine, 67 Asahi-machi, Kurume, Fukuoka, Japan

    Joe Iwanaga

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Iwanaga, J. The alveolar canals and foramina in the first edition of Terminologia Oroanatomica: a preview. Anat Sci Int (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12565-024-00764-8

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