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CT anatomy of the anterior superior alveolar nerve canal: a macroscopic and microscopic study

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Abstract

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.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Department of Tissue Regeneration and Reconstruction, Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, 2-5274 Gakkocho-dori, Niigata, 951-8514, Japan

    Ray Tanaka, Takafumi Hayashi & Makiko Ike

  2. Division of Anatomy and Cell Biology of the Hard Tissue, Department of Tissue Regeneration and Reconstruction, Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata, Japan

    Hayato Ohshima, Hiroko Ida-Yonemochi & Shin-ichi Kenmotsu

Authors
  1. Ray Tanaka
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  2. Takafumi Hayashi
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  3. Hayato Ohshima
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  4. Hiroko Ida-Yonemochi
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  5. Shin-ichi Kenmotsu
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  6. Makiko Ike
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Correspondence to Ray Tanaka.

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Tanaka, R., Hayashi, T., Ohshima, H. et al. CT anatomy of the anterior superior alveolar nerve canal: a macroscopic and microscopic study. Oral Radiol 27, 93–97 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11282-011-0067-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11282-011-0067-8

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