Incidence and Anatomical Properties of Retromolar Canal in an Iranian Population: A Cone-Beam Computed Tomography Study

Figure 1

The four types of retromolar canals are as follows: Type I. The retromolar canal originates from the mandibular canal and courses toward the retromolar fossa through (a) a straight (Ia) or (b) a curved (Ib) trajectory. (c) Type II. The retromolar canal courses between the retromolar fossa toward the root portion of the third molar, with no connection with the mandibular canal. (d) Type III. The retromolar canal originates from the mandibular foramen and courses forward to the retromolar fossa. (e) Type IV. The retromolar canal originates from a foramen other than mandibular foramen and courses anteriorly toward the retromolar fossa.

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)

(e)