Microsurgical anatomy of the inferior alveolar neurovascular plexus.

Microdissection of the cadaveric human inferior neurovascular bundle showed that the inferior alveolar nerve after its origin from the mandibular division forms what can only be described as a plexus. The main trunk of the inferior alveolar nerve exhibits a branching structure reminiscent of the brachial plexus of the upper limb. This plexus-like nature is compounded by delicate interweaving of the inferior alveolar artery. Study of external carotid angiograms showed a general decrease in size of the inferior alveolar artery with increase in age.