Comparative study on the location of mental and mandibular nerve blocks in mandible of Gaddi sheep and Goats

The study aimed to compare the location of mental and mandibular nerve blocks in lower jaw (mandible) of Gaddi sheep and goats. Mandible samples (46) were collected from local slaughterhouses around Palampur, Kangra and Dharmshala of Himachal Pradesh. Gaddi goats had longer mandibula and vertical ramus than Gaddi sheep. The angle between two halves of horizontal ramus at symphysis was greater in Gaddi sheep (20 to 25°) as compared to narrower angle in Gaddi goats (17 to 20°). The mental and mandibular foramens in Gaddi goats were placed little caudal as compared to Gaddi sheep. The study suggested that same location can be used for induction of local anesthesia for mental and mandibular nerve blocks although the foramen from where the nerve emerged were little caudal in Gaddi goats.