Anatomical characterization of the floor of the mouth: A review of the literature

Abstract

This bibliographic review article based on the search for articles was carried out with the purpose of recognizing the anatomical structures of the floor of the mouth and the elements that constitute it, as well as the findings that could be relevant. The floor of the mouth is an odd region that is found below the tongue within the oral cavity, its study is essential for the dentist since there are certain conditions that can involve this area, such as; obstructions of the submandibular duct, cystic lesions, tumors, etc.; the same ones that can cause severe problems, if not diagnosed in time, in addition, complications such as insufficient dental anesthesia during certain procedures can be due to the presence of accessory nerve communications, therefore, knowing the complex anatomy of this region is essential. Methodology: A search was carried out in the digital databases in PubMed, Science Direct, Scopus and Academic Google, selecting those articles that have been carried out in adult humans and that are oriented to the morphological description of the elements of the floor of the mouth. Results: From a total of 107 articles and after a methodical analysis, applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 25 articles were finally chosen to be analyzed and 2 books on human anatomy. Conclusions: The deep knowledge of the anatomy of the structures that make up the floor of the mouth is of vital importance for all professionals who perform procedures in the oral cavity.