Citation, DOI, disclosures and article data
Citation:
Ranchod A, Bell D, Mental spines. Reference article, Radiopaedia.org (Accessed on 02 Mar 2025) https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-166412
Mental spines are small, midline, paired, bony protuberances (or eminences) of the posterior lingual surface of the mandible. There are usually two superior and two inferior spines. They represent the anchor points of origin of the superior genioglossus and the inferior geniohyoid muscles 1,2. Collectively the four spines are called the genial tubercle 4.
Centrally between the spines, there is the lingual or mental foramen.
Avulsion fractures of the mental spines can occur either due to repeated microtrauma caused by removable dentures or as part of mandibular fractures due to blunt or penetrating trauma 1.
-
1. Albassal A, Al-Khanati N, Harfouch M. Traumatic Genial Tubercle Fracture: A Case Description with 9-Month Radiographic Follow-Up and a Literature Analysis. Quant Imaging Med Surg. 2022;12(4):2579-85. doi:10.21037/qims-21-736 - Pubmed
-
2. Araby Y, Alhirabi A, Santawy A. Genial Tubercles: Morphological Study of the Controversial Anatomical Landmark Using Cone Beam Computed Tomography. WJR. 2019;11(7):94-101. doi:10.4329/wjr.v11.i7.94 - Pubmed
-
3. Arthur Thomson. On the Presence of Genial Tubercles on the Mandible of Man, and Their Suggested Association with the Faculty of Speech. J Anat Physiol. 1915;50(Pt 1):43. - Pubmed
Promoted articles (advertising)
Unable to process the form. Check for errors and try again.