Mental foramen

The mental foramen is a key landmark on the outside of the body of mandible, appearing on both sides. Positioned halfway between the top and bottom edges of the mandibular body, it sits directly below the second premolar tooth on each side.

The inferior alveolar nerve travels within the mandibular canal and divides at the mental foramen into two branches: the mental and incisive nerves. The mental nerve comes out of the mental foramen to supply sensory innervation to the lower lip and chin, while the incisive nerve continues forward in the canal towards the incisor teeth. Mental artery and vein, which are branches of the inferior alveolar artery and vein, also pass through the mental foramen.