Course and Distribution of the Inferior Alveolar Nerve

Objective: We undertook this study to determine the pattern of intrabony distribution of the branches of the inferior alveolar nerve (IAN) in the edentulous mandible.Methods: One hundred and seven human cadaveric mandibles were microdissected from their buccal aspect. In each case the height and distribution of the IAN were classified.Results: We found that the IAN was located in the lower half of the mandible in 73% of males and 70% of females. The most commonly observed branching pattern of the nerve was a single nerve trunk with a series of simple branches directed at the superior border of the mandible (59.6% males, 52% females). The second most common pattern was that of a small nerve plexus in the molar region (21.1% males, 26% females). Conclusion: Our results showed that the pattern of intrabony distribution of the IAN does not differ significantly beween sexes, between sides of the jaw or with age.