Anatomical study of the unusual origin of a nerve to the mylohyoid muscle and its clinical relevance

Abstract 

Anomalous patterns in the human body are usually seen in cadaver dissections and during investigations. We have studied 50 cadavers of southern Indian men and women to find the variable origins of the mylohyoid nerve in the infratemporal region. We discovered an unusual origin of the nerve during a routine educational dissection. Here we describe the course of the aberrant nerve and its distributing branches. Awareness of such anatomical variations could help during surgical or dental interventions.

Keywords: Nerve to mylohyoid, Mylohyoid muscle, Lingual nerve, Inferior alveolar nerve, Mandibular nerve