Stafne bone cavity: a rare cadaveric case report.

Anat Cell Biol. 2019 Sep;52(3):354-356. doi: 10.5115/acb.19.019. Epub 2019 Aug 26.

Iwanaga J, Wong T, Kikuta S, Tubbs RS.

---

Abstract

The Stafne bone cavity (SBC), also called the static bone cavity, salivary inclusion cyst, latent cyst, and lingual bone defect is an asymptomatic bony defect that is commonly located inferior to the mandibular canal and slightly above the inferior border of the mandible. It is rare to see the actual bony defect in the cadaver because of its relatively low incidence of 0.1% to 6.06%. We report a unilateral SBC found in a 76-year-old at death male Caucasian cadaver and involving the right mandible. The SBC was oval in shape with a smooth surface and measured 10.8×6.0 mm. The SBC was continuous with the right mylohyoid groove. Since actual photographs of the SBC are lacking in the literature, this report might provide additional insight for better understanding the SBC.

Copyright © 2019. Anatomy & Cell Biology.

KEYWORDS:

Anatomy; Cadaver; Mylohyoid groove; Stafne bone; Variations

Fig. 1

Stafne bone cavity (SBC) of the right mandible. (A) SBC located 25.2 mm anterior to the posterior border of the ramus and 3.3 mm superior to the inferior border of the mandible. Note the mylohyoid groove (arrowheads) has continuity with the SBC. (B) Magnified photo of Fig. 1A.

Fig. 2

Fluoroscopy of the right mandible (superior-inferior view) showing depth of Stafne bone defect. (A) Plain radiography. (B) Pointing the Stafne bone defect (dotted line and arrow).