Stafne's bone cavity. Classification based on outline and content determined by computed tomography.

Fifteen cases (16 concavities) of the so-called "Stafne's bone cavity" were investigated with the use of computed tomography. The sizes, bony outlines, and contents were analyzed on axial images. In all cases, computed tomography clearly demonstrated the concavities on the lingual surface of the mandible. There were no empty concavities. The bony outlines and contents were divided into three types. The concavities with a portion of submandibular gland as a content were larger than those with other contents. Four of six concavities not extending to the buccal cortical plate were filled solely with fat tissue, whereas all concavities with expansion of the buccal cortical plate contained submandibular gland.