Perforating Branch

The perforating ramus is one of the branches of the mandible that extends from the lower alveolar foramen and descends into the space of the ramus located between the upper gum and the tooth. It has many names: perforated branch, screw notch, and perforated branch grooves. Despite the fact that many sources consider the perforated branch to be unilateral, some authors consider it to be bilateral.

The perforating branch forms pits that are located on the medial and lateral sides of the ramus of the mandible. These pits are used for attachment of muscles and ligaments such as m. pterygoideus medialis, m. palatinus major, tendo masticatorius and m. vibrator