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The notch of the mandible: what do different fields call it?
Norio Kitagawa1, Keiko Fukino1, Yuki Matsushita2
1Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Anatomy, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan.
Anatomy & Cell Biology
|April 28, 2023
Summary
The bony notch in the mandible is referred to by various names across disciplines. This study found "gonial" terms are most frequently used, suggesting it as the preferred terminology for clear communication.
Area of Science:
- Anatomy
- Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
- Orthodontics
- Plastic Surgery
- Dental Medicine
Background:
- The inferior border of the mandible features a bony notch anterior to the masseter muscle attachment, often traversed by facial vessels.
- This anatomical landmark is known by several names in scientific literature, including premasseteric notch, antegonial notch, and notch for the facial vessels.
- Discrepancies in terminology across different professional fields hinder consistent communication regarding this mandibular feature.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the usage of different terms for the bony notch on the mandible.
- To recommend standardized terminology for improved interdisciplinary communication.
- To identify preferred nomenclature based on anatomical context and field-specific usage.
Main Methods:
- A literature search was conducted to identify and categorize terms used for the mandibular notch.
- Terms were grouped based on the anatomical structure referenced: masseter, gonion, or facial vessels.
- Usage frequency of these terms was analyzed across various medical and dental specialties.
Main Results:
- The term "gonial" (referring to the gonion or angle of the mandible) was the most frequently encountered in the literature.
- Within specific fields, orthodontics and oral and maxillofacial surgery showed high usage of gonial terms (29.0% and 14.0%, respectively).
- The dental field predominantly used gonial terms (43.9%), while the medical field showed a preference for terms referencing facial vessels (33.3%).
Conclusions:
- The use of "gonial" terms for the bony notch on the inferior border of the mandible appears to be the most prevalent and preferred nomenclature.
- Standardizing terminology to "gonial notch" or a similar variant would enhance clarity and consistency in anatomical and clinical communication.
- Further adoption of this terminology is recommended to bridge communication gaps between different specialties.
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