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Updated: Feb 13, 2026
Construction of a Realistic, Whole-Body, Three-Dimensional Equine Skeletal Model using Computed Tomography Data
Published on: February 25, 2021
Anatomic analysis of the equine mental foramen and rostral mandibular canal using computed tomography
Jennifer E Rawlinson1, Luke Bass1, Luis Campoy2
1Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA.
Objectives:
To characterize the anatomy of the mental foramen and determine associations with age, weight, sex and breed.
Study Design:
Retrospective descriptive study.
Animals:
Forty-one horses, 0.6-25.2 years and weighing 136-820 kg.
Methods:
Computed tomography (CT) studies of equine heads performed over 5 years were evaluated in multiplanar and three-dimensional reconstruction. Measurements obtained were positioning of the foramen along the mandible, foramen height and width, foramen-canal angulation and rostral canal mineralization. Exploratory statistical analyses investigated associations between measurements and age, weight, sex and breed.
Results:
Evaluation of 41 CT studies revealed foramen positioning was one-third of the horizontal distance of the incisor-premolar space from the second premolar and one-third of the vertical distance in the mandible from the dorsal surface of interproximal space at the level of the foramen. Age was negatively correlated to horizontal positioning [r = -0.42; 95% confidence intervals (CI), -0.64 to -0.13]. Mean foramen width was 6.4 (range, 2.3-17.1) mm and height 5.6 (range, 2.1-10.3) mm. Age and foramen height (r = 0.32; 95% CI, 0.01 to 0.57) and width (r = 0.30; 95% CI, -0.01 to 0.30) were positively correlated. Thoroughbred and Warmblood/Draft horses had increased foramina heights compared with Quarter horses [analysis of variance (anova)p = 0.02]. Males had wider foramina (95% CI, -2.66 to 0.07). Angulation of the foramen-canal was mean ± standard deviation 68.3 ± 12.8° (range, 37.9-105.6°) transverse plane, 28.3 ± 4.1° (range, 18.2-39.0°) saggital plane and 41.4 ± 8.45° (range, 22.2-58.6°) dorsal plane. Older horses had decreased mineralization of the rostral canal (anova, left p = 0.015, right p = 0.025).
Conclusions:
The size, shape, positioning and angulation of the mental foramen varies. Mineralization of the canal is decreased in older horses.
Clinical Relevance:
This study improves understanding of mental foramen anatomy and complications with needle placement.
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