Unusual Communication between Nerve to Mylohyoid and Lingual Nerve and, its Clinical Significance- A Cadaveric Study

Introduction: The nerve to mylohyoid is a branch of inferior alveolar nerve which arises just above the mandibular foramen. There is occasionally communicating branch between nerve to mylohyoid and lingual nerve. Knowledge of such variations has significance during oral and submandibular surgery. Aim: To detect and describe the existence and occurrence of anatomical variations in the innervation pattern of the nerve to mylohyoid by using the dissection technique. Materials and Methods: An observational study was carried out from January 2022 to April 2022 in a total of 15 embalmed and formalin-fixed cadavers in the Laboratory of Anatomy of SMBT Medical College, Nashik, Maharashtra. The nerve to the mylohyoid and lingual nerve were cleared and observed for any unusual communication between the two, if any. Results: In 13 (86.67%) cadavers, classical (normal) anatomical presentation of the nerve to mylohyoid was observed, whereas, in two male (13.33%) cadavers, the presence of communicating branch between the nerve to mylohyoid and lingual nerve was observed. In both the cadavers, the communicating branch was unilateral, in one cadaver on the right-side, and in the second cadaver same variation was noted on the left-side. Conclusion: The existence of communication between the nerve to mylohyoid and the lingual nerve is thought to be responsible for inadequate mandibular anesthesia. Through this study, surgeons will be aware of this variance, to explain unexpected findings in nerve injury following oral procedures.