Accurate information regarding the horizontal location and shape of the mental foramen can have clinical significance, such as reducing complications that may occur during maxillofacial surgical procedures involving the mental area. Geographic variations were reported in these variables. The aim was to study the horizontal position and shape of the mental foramen, as seen on panoramic radiographs of an Iraqi sample, to assess difference in these variables between sexes and age groups, and to assess symmetry of the mental foramen. 518 panoramic radiographs of a random Iraqi sample (257 males, 261 females, average age= 46.5 years) were evaluated with regard to the horizontal location, shape and symmetry of the mental foramina. The area between the long axes of the two mandibular premolars, and the round type were the most frequent horizontal location and shape of mental foramen, respectively. Age advancement was found to be associated with an increase in the frequency of more posterior positioning and irregular shape. The horizontal position and shape were asymmetrical in 21.6% and 31.6% of cases, respectively. The Symmetry in horizontal location and shape of mental foramina were found statistically significant between sexes (P= 0.041), and between young and old age groups (P=0.001), respectively. The most common horizontal location and shape of the mental foramen on panoramic radiographs in this group are between the two premolars, and the round type, respectively. This is in consistence with the findings of previous studies on other populations. The mental foramina have usually symmetrical horizontal locations and shapes.

KEY WORDS: Mental foramen; Panoramic radiographs; Geographic variation; Iraqi population.