Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

An anatomical and histological study of mental nerve branches to the inferior labial glands

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

In this study, we aimed to reveal the detailed anatomy of mental nerve branches to the inferior labial glands.

Methods

Embalmed cadaveric heads were used in this study and the mental nerve branches to the inferior labial glands were dissected. Branches to the glands were then excised for histological observation.

Results

On all sides, the inferior labial glands were innervated by small branches arising from mental nerve branches that innervated the lower lip. No nerve branches to the inferior labial gland crossed the midline. Histological observation found that the tissue to the inferior labial gland were composed primarily of nerve fibers with a small number of surrounding vessels. Histological findings in examined specimens were consistent.

Conclusion

The inferior labial glands were innervated by small branches of the mental nerve to the lower lip.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Bartling R, Freeman K, Kraut RA (1999) The incidence of altered sensation of the mental nerve after mandibular implant placement. J Oral Maxillofac Surg 57:1408–1410

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Chisholm DM, Mason DK (1968) Labial salivary gland biopsy in Sjögren’s disease. J Clin Pathol 21:656–660

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Emmelin N (1972) Control of salivary glands. In: Emmelin N, Zotterman Y (eds) Oral physiology. Pergamon, Oxford, pp 1–16

    Google Scholar 

  4. Hu KS, Yun HS, Hur MS, Kwon HJ, Abe S, Kim HJ (2007) Branching patterns and intraosseous course of the mental nerve. J Oral Maxillofac Surg 65:2288–2294

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Hur Y, Bui MN, Griffin TJ, Ogata Y (2015) Modified periosteal releasing incision for flap advancement: a practical technique for tensionless closure. Clin Adv Periodontics 5:229–234

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Hwang K, Lee WJ, Song YB, Chung IH (2005) Vulnerability of the inferior alveolar nerve and mental nerve during genioplasty: an anatomic study. J Craniofacial Surg 16:10–14

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Iwanaga J, Saga T, Tabira Y, Nakamura M, Kitashima S, Watanabe K, Kusukawa J, Yamaki K (2015) The clinical anatomy of accessory mental nerves and foramina. Clin Anat 28:848–856

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Iwanaga J, Watanabe K, Saga T, Tabira Y, Kitashima S, Kusukawa J, Yamaki KI (2016) Accessory mental foramina and nerves: application to periodontal, periapical, and implant surgery. Clin Anat 29:493–501

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Iwanaga J, Nakamura K, Alonso F, Kirkpatrick C, Oskouian RJ, Watanabe K, Tubbs RS (2018) Anatomical study of the so-called “retromolar gland”: distinguishing normal anatomy from oral cavity pathology. Clin Anat 31:462–465

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Iwanaga J, Singh V, Ohtsuka A, Hwang Y, Kim HJ, Moryś J, Ravi KS, Ribatti D, Trainor PA, Sañudo JR, Apaydin N, Şengül G, Albertine KH, Walocha JA, Loukas M, Duparc F, Paulsen F, Del Sol M, Adds P, Hegazy A, Tubbs RS (2021) Acknowledging the use of human cadaveric tissues in research papers: recommendations from anatomical journal editors. Clin Anat 34:2–4

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Kalladka M, Proter N, Benoliel R, Czerninski R, Eliav E (2008) Mental nerve neuropathy: patient characteristics and neurosensory changes. Oral Sur Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endodontol 106:364–370

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Kamijo Y (1967) Oral anatomy, 1st edn. Anatom Co., Tokyo

    Google Scholar 

  13. Matthews B, Robinson PP (1980) The course of post-ganglionic sympathetic fibres distributed with the trigeminal nerve in the cat. J Physiol 303:391–401

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Moiseiwitsch JR (1995) Avoiding the mental foramen during periapical surgery. J Endod 21:340–342

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Ousterhout DK (1996) Sliding genioplasty, avoiding mental nerve injuries. J Craniofacial Surg 7:297–298

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Proctor GB, Carpenter GH (2007) Regulation of salivary gland function by autonomic nerves. Auton Neurosci 133:3–18

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Segal K, Lisnyansky I, Nageris B, Feinmesser R (1996) Parasympathetic innervation of the salivary glands. Oper Tech Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 7:333–338

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Standring S (2020) Gray’s anatomy: the anatomical basis of clinical practice. Elsevier Health Sciences, London

    Google Scholar 

  19. Umemura Y, Tadokoro O, Utsuno H (2009) Immunocytochemical localization of autonomic nerve fibers in the human labial glands. Matsumoto Shigaku 35:8–16

    Google Scholar 

  20. Won SY, Yang HM, Woo HS, Chang KY, Youn KH, Kim HJ, Hu KS (2014) Neuroanastomosis and the innervation territory of the mental nerve. Clin Anat 27:598–602

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

The authors sincerely thank 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 [10].

Funding

This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

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

    Joe Iwanaga & R. Shane Tubbs

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

    Joe Iwanaga & R. Shane Tubbs

  3. Dental and Oral Medical Center, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume, Fukuoka, Japan

    Joe Iwanaga, Yuto Haikata, Ken Nakamura & Jingo Kusukawa

  4. Division of Gross and Clinical Anatomy, Department of Anatomy, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume, Fukuoka, Japan

    Joe Iwanaga, Yuto Haikata & Koichi Watanabe

  5. Department of Anatomical Sciences, St. George’s University, Saint George’s, Grenada

    R. Shane Tubbs

  6. Department of Structural and Cellular Biology, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, USA

    R. Shane Tubbs

  7. Department of Surgery, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, USA

    R. Shane Tubbs

  8. Department of Neurosurgery and Ochsner Neuroscience Institute, Ochsner Health System, New Orleans, LA, USA

    R. Shane Tubbs

  9. University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia

    R. Shane Tubbs

Authors
  1. Joe Iwanaga
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Yuto Haikata
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Ken Nakamura
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Jingo Kusukawa
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Koichi Watanabe
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. R. Shane Tubbs
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Contributions

JI: data collection, data analysis, and manuscript writing. YH: data analysis, and manuscript writing. KN: data analysis and manuscript editing. JK: data analysis and manuscript editing. KW: protocol/project development and manuscript editing. RST: protocol/project development and manuscript editing.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Joe Iwanaga.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Additional information

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Iwanaga, J., Haikata, Y., Nakamura, K. et al. An anatomical and histological study of mental nerve branches to the inferior labial glands. Surg Radiol Anat 43, 1801–1804 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00276-021-02795-6

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00276-021-02795-6

Keywords

Search

Navigation