The mandibular canal is a passage in the lower jaw that carries blood vessels and nerves. It contains the inferior alveolar artery, inferior alveolar nerve, and inferior alveolar vein, and extends from the mandibular foramen to the mental foramen. It also transforms into the mandibular incisive canal, supplying sensation to the front teeth, chin, and lower lip.
The mandibular canal is a canal or passage found in the lower jaw, which is clinically known as the mandible. This bone derives its name from the Latin word mandibula, which means jaw. The purpose of the mandibular canal is to carry the blood vessels of the structure as well as a bundle of fibers. Its etymology consists of the Latin words mandere, which means to chew; and canalis, which means channel.
Also known as the lower jaw bone due to its placement under the upper jaw, or maxilla, the mandible is responsible for fixing the lower teeth in humans. The teeth are located in an area or cavity known as the alveolar process. This makes up the upper body of the jaw and it is under this portion of the jaw bone that the mandibular canal is located.
The mandibular canal contains the inferior alveolar artery or inferior dental artery; inferior alveolar nerve or inferior dental nerve; and inferior alveolar vein. The first blood vessel functions like a facial artery. The dental nerve is a branch of the mandibular nerve, which in turn is the largest branch of the trigeminal nerve. Also known as the fifth cranial nerve, this particular blood vessel is responsible for facial sensation, contributing to dental functions such as biting and chewing. The purpose of the alveolar vein is to drain the jaw and the teeth it holds in place.
For the passage of mandibular vessels and nerve, the mandibular canal extends from an opening existing on the inner surface of the perpendicular section of the mandible, or ramus. This opening is called the mandibular foramen. The mandibular canal then carries blood vessels and nerve throughout the body. It comes out of the mental foramen, which is one of the two holes that the jaw bone brings to its anterior or anterior surface. The alveolar nerve then becomes the mental nerve, supplying sensation to the front teeth, chin, and lower lip.
It is also in this phase that the mandibular canal transforms into the mandibular incisive canal. The passage travels bilaterally from the mental foramen to communicate with the teeth with the mental nerve. The specific teeth that are supplied with innervation to each side of the jaw are the incisors in front, the canine tooth next to them, and the first of the two premolars at the curved end of the jaw bone.
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