Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Endosteal blood supply of the mandible: anatomical study of nutrient vessels in the condylar neck accessory foramina

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

Abstract

Purpose

In the mandible, the condylar neck vascularization is commonly described as mainly periosteal; while the endosteal contribution is still debated, with very limited anatomical studies. Previous works have shown the contribution of nutrient vessels through accessory foramina and their contribution in the blood supply of other parts of the mandible. Our aim was to study the condylar neck’s blood supply from nutrient foramina.

Methods

Six latex-injected heads were dissected and two hundred mandibular condyles were observed on dry mandibles searching for accessory bone foramina.

Results

Latex-injected dissections showed a direct condylar medular arterial supply through foramina. On dry mandibles, these foramina were most frequently observed in the pterygoid fovea in 91% of cases. However, two other accessory foramina areas were identified on the lateral and medial sides of the mandibular condylar process, confirming the vascular contribution of transverse facial and maxillary arteries.

Conclusions

The maxillary artery indeed provided both endosteal and periosteal blood supply to the condylar neck, with three different branches: an intramedullary ascending artery (arising from the inferior alveolar artery), a direct nutrient branch and some pterygoid osteomuscular branches.

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
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Brookes M, Revell WJ (1998) Blood supply of bone: scientific aspects. Springer, London

    Book  Google Scholar 

  2. Buch HA (2017) Accessory mandibular foramina: a trivial research? Clin Anat 30:569–571. https://doi.org/10.1002/ca.22884

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Butch HA (1978) Investigations on unnamed foramen in mandible. J Indian Dent Assoc 50:273–275

    Google Scholar 

  4. Cadenat H, Barthelemy R, Combelles R, Fabie M, Maneaud M (1972) Importance of mandibular vascularization in maxillofacial surgery. Rev Stomatol Chir Maxillofac 73:60–65

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Castelli W (1963) Vascular architecture of the human adult mandible. J Dent Res 42:786–792. https://doi.org/10.1177/00220345630420030701

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Cohen L (1959) Methods of investigating the vascular architecture of the mandible. J Dent Res 38:920–931. https://doi.org/10.1177/00220345590380052201

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Cohen L (1960) Further studies into the vascular architecture of the mandible. J Dent Res 39:936–946. https://doi.org/10.1177/00220345600390052801

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Couly G (1978) Le squelette facial mobile. In: Traité EMC Médecine buccale, Elsevier Masson SAS, Paris

  9. Gharb BB, Rampazzo A, Kutz JE, Bright L, Doumit G, Harter TB (2014) Vascularization of the facial bones by the facial artery: implications for full face allotransplantation. Plast Reconstr Surg 133:1153–1165. https://doi.org/10.1097/prs.0000000000000111

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Hellem S, Ostrup LT (1981) Normal and retrograde blood supply to the body of the mandible in the dog. II. The role played by periosteo-medullary and symphyseal anastomoses. Int J Oral Surg 10:31–42

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. 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. https://doi.org/10.1002/ca.22597

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Liang X, Jacobs R, Lambrichts I, Vandewalle G (2007) Lingual foramina on the mandibular midline revisited: a macroanatomical study. Clin Anat 20:246–251. https://doi.org/10.1002/ca.20357

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Przystanska A, Bruska M (2012) Anatomical classification of accessory foramina in human mandibles of adults, infants, and fetuses. Anat Sci Int 87:141–149. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12565-012-0136-z

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  14. Rosano G, Taschieri S, Testori T, Del FM, Gaudy JF (2008) Vascular anatomy of the mandibular symphysis and possible complications in oral surgery. Schweiz Monatsschr Zahnmed 118:1156–1161

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Saka B, Wree A, Henkel KO, Anders L, Gundlach KK (2002) Blood supply of the mandibular cortex: an experimental study in Gottingen minipigs with special reference to the condyle. J Craniomaxillofac Surg 30:41–45. https://doi.org/10.1054/jcms.2001.0257

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Skopakoff C (1958) Etudes morphologiques et expérimentales sur l’apport sanguin à la mâchoire. Rev odontostomat Bordeaux 16:50–69

    Google Scholar 

  17. Sutton RN (1974) The practical significance of mandibular accessory foramina. Aust Dent J 19:167–173

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Toure G (2018) Arterial vascularization of the mandibular condyle and fractures of the condyle. Plast Reconstr Surg 141:718e–725e. https://doi.org/10.1097/prs.0000000000004295

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Vandewalle G, Liang X, Jacobs R, Lambrichts I (2006) Macroanatomic and radiologic characteristics of the superior genial spinal foramen and its bony canal. Int J Oral Maxillofac Implants 21:581–586

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Voy ED, Fuchs M (1980) Anatomical studies of the blood vessel structure in the temporomandibular joint area. Fortschr Kiefer Gesichtschir 25:2–5

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Wysocki J, Reymond J, Krasucki K (2012) Vascularization of the mandibular condylar head with respect to intracapsular fractures of mandible. J Craniomaxillofac Surg 40:112–115. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcms.2011.03.017

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

We thank Bernard Caelen and Pr Catherine Behets (Department of Human Anatomy, UCLouvain, Brussels, Belgium) for the availability of anatomical parts.

Funding

None.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Maxillofacial Surgery, University Hospital of Amiens-Picardy, Avenue René Laennec, 80000, Amiens, France

    Matthieu Olivetto, Jérémie Bettoni, Jebrane Bouaoud, Stéphanie Dakpé & Bernard Devauchelle

  2. Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc, Avenue Hippocrate 10, 1200, Brussels, Belgium

    Jérôme Duisit & Benoît Lengelé

  3. Department of Human Anatomy (MORF), UCLouvain, Avenue Mounier 52/B1.52.04, 1200, Brussels, Belgium

    Jérôme Duisit & Benoît Lengelé

  4. Laboratory of Anatomy and Morphogenesis, Université de Picardie Jules Verne, Chemin du Thil, 80025, Amiens, France

    Louis Chenin

  5. EA 7516 “CHIMERE” (UPJV), Facing Faces Institute, CHU SUD, Avenue Laennec, 80054, Amiens Cedex 1, France

    Stéphanie Dakpé & Bernard Devauchelle

Authors
  1. Matthieu Olivetto
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Jérémie Bettoni
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Jérôme Duisit
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Louis Chenin
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Jebrane Bouaoud
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Stéphanie Dakpé
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Bernard Devauchelle
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. Benoît Lengelé
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Contributions

MO: data collection and analysis/manuscript writing. JB: data analysis/manuscript writing. JD: protocol development; data management; data analysis; manuscript writing/editing. LC: data collection and management. JB: data analysis/manuscript writing. SD: project development. BD: protocol/project development. BL: protocol/project development/data collection or management/manuscript writing/editing

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Matthieu Olivetto.

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

Olivetto, M., Bettoni, J., Duisit, J. et al. Endosteal blood supply of the mandible: anatomical study of nutrient vessels in the condylar neck accessory foramina. Surg Radiol Anat 42, 35–40 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00276-019-02304-w

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00276-019-02304-w

Keywords

Search

Navigation