Challenges in Diagnosing the Course of the Lingual Nerve for Clinical Practice and Research
The accurate identification and protection of the lingual nerve during oral surgery are critical to avoid complications such as a loss of taste or sensation and chronic pain. While numerous studies have described the nerve’s anatomy and injury outcomes, no consensus exists on the optimal method to t...
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MDPI AG
2025-06-01
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| author | Wei Cheong Ngeow Hui Wen Tay Krishan Sarna Chia Wei Cheah Mary Raj Surendra Kumar Acharya Zhong Zheng Koo Mang Chek Wey |
| author_facet | Wei Cheong Ngeow Hui Wen Tay Krishan Sarna Chia Wei Cheah Mary Raj Surendra Kumar Acharya Zhong Zheng Koo Mang Chek Wey |
| author_sort | Wei Cheong Ngeow |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The accurate identification and protection of the lingual nerve during oral surgery are critical to avoid complications such as a loss of taste or sensation and chronic pain. While numerous studies have described the nerve’s anatomy and injury outcomes, no consensus exists on the optimal method to trace its full course. This narrative review systematically examined the literature from 2010 to 2024, using databases like PubMed, MEDLINE, Embase, and Google Scholar. Keywords included “Lingual nerve,” “Course,” “Anatomy,” and “Clinical implications,” combined with Boolean operators. Studies were selected based on defined criteria, and findings were synthesized to highlight key challenges in diagnosing the nerve’s path. This review identifies difficulties at multiple anatomical sites: the foramen ovale, infratemporal fossa, pterygomandibular space, third molar and retromolar regions, premolar/molar areas, floor of the mouth, and anterior gingiva and tongue. Lingual nerve injury, especially during lower third molar surgeries, remains a major concern, often exacerbated by factors like patient age, unerupted teeth, and lingual surgical approaches. Effective prevention hinges on precise anatomical knowledge and meticulous surgical technique. Microsurgical repair remains the primary treatment but often yields unpredictable outcomes. Emerging regenerative therapies show early promise but require further clinical validation. Imaging tools such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ultrasound may enhance diagnostic accuracy and surgical planning; however, each has limitations in everyday practice. Ultimately, early identification, careful surgical handling, and appropriate imaging support are vital for improving patient outcomes and minimizing the risks of lingual nerve injury. |
| format | Article |
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| institution | Matheson Library |
| issn | 2075-4418 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| series | Diagnostics |
| spelling | doaj-art-ff6935c8ca2a4ab3b0d0876bfb2ebc8c2025-07-11T14:38:04ZengMDPI AGDiagnostics2075-44182025-06-011513160910.3390/diagnostics15131609Challenges in Diagnosing the Course of the Lingual Nerve for Clinical Practice and ResearchWei Cheong Ngeow0Hui Wen Tay1Krishan Sarna2Chia Wei Cheah3Mary Raj4Surendra Kumar Acharya5Zhong Zheng Koo6Mang Chek Wey7Faculty of Dentistry, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, MalaysiaFaculty of Dentistry, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, MalaysiaDepartment of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Oral Pathology and Oral Medicine, Division of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Nairobi, Nairobi 10110, KenyaFaculty of Dentistry, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, MalaysiaOral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Dentistry, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, ChinaFaculty of Dentistry, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, MalaysiaPrivate Practice, Petaling Jaya 43300, MalaysiaFaculty of Dentistry, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, MalaysiaThe accurate identification and protection of the lingual nerve during oral surgery are critical to avoid complications such as a loss of taste or sensation and chronic pain. While numerous studies have described the nerve’s anatomy and injury outcomes, no consensus exists on the optimal method to trace its full course. This narrative review systematically examined the literature from 2010 to 2024, using databases like PubMed, MEDLINE, Embase, and Google Scholar. Keywords included “Lingual nerve,” “Course,” “Anatomy,” and “Clinical implications,” combined with Boolean operators. Studies were selected based on defined criteria, and findings were synthesized to highlight key challenges in diagnosing the nerve’s path. This review identifies difficulties at multiple anatomical sites: the foramen ovale, infratemporal fossa, pterygomandibular space, third molar and retromolar regions, premolar/molar areas, floor of the mouth, and anterior gingiva and tongue. Lingual nerve injury, especially during lower third molar surgeries, remains a major concern, often exacerbated by factors like patient age, unerupted teeth, and lingual surgical approaches. Effective prevention hinges on precise anatomical knowledge and meticulous surgical technique. Microsurgical repair remains the primary treatment but often yields unpredictable outcomes. Emerging regenerative therapies show early promise but require further clinical validation. Imaging tools such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ultrasound may enhance diagnostic accuracy and surgical planning; however, each has limitations in everyday practice. Ultimately, early identification, careful surgical handling, and appropriate imaging support are vital for improving patient outcomes and minimizing the risks of lingual nerve injury.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4418/15/13/1609lingual nervecourseclinical implicationanatomy |
| spellingShingle | Wei Cheong Ngeow Hui Wen Tay Krishan Sarna Chia Wei Cheah Mary Raj Surendra Kumar Acharya Zhong Zheng Koo Mang Chek Wey Challenges in Diagnosing the Course of the Lingual Nerve for Clinical Practice and Research Diagnostics lingual nerve course clinical implication anatomy |
| title | Challenges in Diagnosing the Course of the Lingual Nerve for Clinical Practice and Research |
| title_full | Challenges in Diagnosing the Course of the Lingual Nerve for Clinical Practice and Research |
| title_fullStr | Challenges in Diagnosing the Course of the Lingual Nerve for Clinical Practice and Research |
| title_full_unstemmed | Challenges in Diagnosing the Course of the Lingual Nerve for Clinical Practice and Research |
| title_short | Challenges in Diagnosing the Course of the Lingual Nerve for Clinical Practice and Research |
| title_sort | challenges in diagnosing the course of the lingual nerve for clinical practice and research |
| topic | lingual nerve course clinical implication anatomy |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4418/15/13/1609 |
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