BRANCHES	STRUCTURES SUPPLIED
Ascending palatine artery	Soft palate, tonsils, pharynx
Tonsillar artery	Tonsils, tongue
Glandular artery	Submandibular gland
Submental artery	Submandibular gland, mylohyoid and anterior digastric muscle
Inferior labial artery	Lower lip
Superior labial artery	Upper lip
Lateral nasal artery	Nose
Angular artery	Eyelids, nose

TABLE 1-2 BRANCHES OF THE THREE MAJOR DIVISIONS OF THE MAXILLARY ARTERY AND THE STRUCTURES THEY SUPPLY

BRAN CHES OF THE THREE MAJOR DIVISIONS	STRUCTURES SUPPLIED
Mandibular division
Inferior alveolar artery (IAA) branches
Deep auricular artery	Tympanic membrane
Anterior tympanic artery	Tympanic membrane
IAA (dental branches)	Mandibular posterior teeth and surrounding tissues
Mylohyoid artery	Mylohyoid muscle, floor of mouth
Incisive artery	Anterior teeth and surrounding tissues
Mental artery	Chin, lower lip
Middle meningeal artery	Meninges of the brain, dura of bones in the skull
Pterygoid division
Deep temporal arteries	Temporalis muscle
Pterygoid arteries	Pterygoid muscles
Masseteric artery	Masseter
Buccal artery	Buccinator, buccal mucosa
Pterygopalatine division
Posterior superior alveolar artery	Maxillary posterior teeth, maxillary sinus
Infraorbital artery, including anterior and middle superior alveolar, orbital, and facial branches	Maxillary anterior teeth, orbital area and lacrimal gland
Greater palatine artery	Hard palate, lingual gingiva of maxillary posterior teeth
Lesser palatine artery	Soft palate, tonsils
Sphenopalatine artery	Nasal cavity

Venous drainage

Deoxygenated blood from the head and neck is drained from the area by a network of veins that eventually terminate in the jugular veins. The blood from the jugular veins is ultimately returned to the heart via the subclavian and brachiocephalic veins, which join to form the superior vena cava.

B. Veins of the cranium: venous drainage of the brain

1. Deoxygenated blood drains from the brain through a series of dural sinuses.

2. Pathways of deoxygenated blood: blood from the superior sagittal sinus, inferior sagittal sinus (via the straight sinus), and the occipital sinuses drains at the confluence of sinuses, which is located in the posterior cranium. From here, the blood flows through the transverse sinuses to the sigmoid sinuses, which ultimately empty into the internal jugular vein. This pathway is illustrated in Figure 1-3.

3. Note: cerebral spinal fluid is drained via reabsorption into the superior sagittal sinus.

C. Veins of the face: venous drainage of the face and oral cavity (Figure 1-4).

1. Facial vein

a. Serves as the major source of venous drainage for superficial facial structures, or the same areas that are supplied by the facial artery.

b. Termination: the facial vein will join with the retromandibular vein to form the common facial vein, which drains into the internal jugular vein.

c. Tributaries: supratrochlear, supraorbital, nasal, superior and inferior labial, muscular, submental, tonsillar, and submandibular veins.

d. Dental significance: since the facial vein has no valves to maintain the direction of blood flow and it communicates with the cavernous sinus via the superior ophthalmic and deep facial vein, infection from the facial vein can travel to the cavernous sinus and cause severe medical problems (refer to cavernous sinus thrombosis, p. 6).

2. Superior and inferior ophthalmic veins

a. Drain tissues of the orbit.

b. Communicate with the facial vein via the supraorbital vein.

c. Termination: facial vein and cavernous sinus.

3. Retromandibular veins

a. Formed by the joining of the maxillary and superficial temporal veins in the parotid gland.

b. Termination: the retromandibular vein bifurcates into an anterior and posterior division. The anterior division descends and joins the facial vein to become the common facial vein, which terminates into the internal jugular vein. The posterior division terminates into the external jugular vein.

4. Pterygoid plexus

a. A network of veins located at the level of the pterygoid muscles that drains deoxygenated blood from deep facial tissues, including the intraoral cavity, and the meninges.

b. Termination: drains into the retromandibular vein via the maxillary veins.

c. Tributaries include middle meningeal, infraorbital, sphenopalatine, muscular, buccal, palatine, inferior alveolar, and deep facial veins.

5. Cavernous sinuses

a. Located on both sides of the sella turcica of the sphenoid bone. The right and left cavernous sinuses are joined by the intercavernous sinuses.

b. Tributaries include the ophthalmic and external cerebral veins, the sphenoparietal sinuses, and the pterygoid plexuses.

c. Structures running through the cavernous sinus include CN III, IV, V₁, V₂, VI, and the internal carotid artery (Figure 1-5). Note: these nerves and the structures they innervate can be affected by a cavernous sinus infection.

d. Termination: the superior and inferior petrosal sinuses. The petrosal sinuses ultimately drain into the internal jugular vein.

e. Cavernous sinus thrombosis: since blood flow in the cavernous sinus is slow-moving, dental or eye infections that spread to the cavernous sinuses can result in an infective blood clot, called cavernous sinus thrombosis. This can result in an urgent, and possibly fatal, medical emergency. The infection has the potential to spread as a result of certain venous communications with the cavernous sinus, including:

(1) Superior ophthalmic vein—drains into the cavernous sinus. The superior ophthalmic vein can also act as a passageway for infection to spread from the facial vein to the cavernous sinus, since they are joined via the angular vein.

(2) Deep facial vein—drains into the pterygoid plexus of veins, which in turn drains into the cavernous sinus. The deep facial vein is a tributary of the facial vein.

Figure 1-3 Dural venous sinuses. Arrows note the direction of blood flow.

(From Moore NA, Roy WA: Gross and Developmental Anatomy, St. Louis, Mosby, 2002.)

Figure 1-4 Lateral view of veins of the neck and superficial head.

(From Moore NA, Roy WA: Gross and Developmental Anatomy, St. Louis, Mosby, 2002.)

Figure 1-5 Coronal aspect of the cavernous sinus with its contents noted.

Lymphatic drainage

A. Lymphatic drainage of the head and neck is accomplished through a series of lymphatic vessels and lymph nodes. Lymph from a region is first drained into a primary lymph node, then a secondary lymph node, and ultimately ends up in the venous circulation.

1. Superficial lymph nodes

a. Submandibular nodes

(1) Located beneath the angle of the mandible.

(2) Secondary node: the submandibular nodes will drain into the deep cervical lymph nodes.

(3) Tissues drained include the lower eyelids, nose, cheek, maxillary sinus, upper lip, palate, sublingual and submandibular glands, tongue body, all the maxillary teeth except the third molar, and all the mandibular teeth except the incisors.

b. Submental nodes

(1) Located beneath the chin.

(2) Secondary node: lymph from the submental lymph nodes drains into the submandibular or deep cervical lymph nodes.

(3) Tissues drained include the lower lip, mandibular incisors, floor of the mouth, the tongue apex, and the chin.

c. Superficial parotid nodes

(1) Located on the surface of the parotid gland.

(2) Secondary node: deep cervical lymph nodes.

(3) Tissues drained include the scalp, eyelids, external ear, and lacrimal gland.

d. Retroauricular nodes

(1) Located adjacent to the mastoid process.

(2) Secondary node: deep cervical nodes.

(3) Tissues drained include the scalp and external ear.

e. Occipital nodes

(1) Located at the occipital region of the skull.

(2) Secondary node: deep cervical nodes.

(3) Tissues drained include the scalp.

C. Deep cervical nodes

1. The chain of deep cervical nodes extends vertically down the entire length of the neck. They receive lymph from both superficial and deep lymph nodes.

2. Termination

a. The left deep cervical chains form the left jugular lymph trunk, which terminates in the thoracic duct.

b. The right deep cervical chains form the right jugular lymph trunk, which terminates in the right lymphatic duct.

1.1.2 Cranial Nerves

Basic principles and definitions

A. Basic principles and definitions

1. There are 12 cranial nerves; they are listed in Table 1-5.

2. Function: cranial nerves function as sensory and/or motor neurons. Four cranial nerves (CN III, VII, IX, and X) also have parasympathetic functions (Table 1-5).

TABLE 1-5 SUMMARY OF THE CRANIAL NERVES

TABLE 1-3 SUPERFICIAL LYMPH NODES

PRIMARY NODE	TISSUES DRAINED	SECONDARY NODE
Submandibular nodes	Lower eyelids Nose Cheek Maxillary sinus Upper lip Palate Sublingual gland Submandibular gland Maxillary teeth, except third molar Mandibular teeth, except incisors Tongue body

Deep cervical nodes Submental nodes

Submandibular or deep cervical nodes Superficial parotid nodes

Deep cervical nodes Retroauricular nodes

Scalp

External ear

Deep cervical nodes Occipital nodes Scalp Deep cervical nodes

TABLE 1-4 DEEP LYMPH NODES

	LOCATION	STRUCTURES DRAINED
Superior deep cervical lymph nodes	Inferior to the anterior border of the sternocleidomastoid muscles	Maxillary third molars Nasal cavity Palate Tongue

Deep parotid nodes

Middle ear

Parotid gland

Deep cervical nodes Retropharyngeal lymph nodes Posterior pharynx, at the level of C1 vertebrae

3. Foramen: a hole in bone. In this context, it specifically refers to the opening where a particular nerve passes through in the skull.

4. Ganglion: group of nerve cell bodies found outside the central nervous system (CNS).

5. Reflexes: cranial nerves also serve as afferent and efferent nerves for certain reflexes associated with the head and neck. These nerve reflexes are summarized in Table 1-6.

B. Cranial nerve pneumonics

1. Cranial nerves: “Oh, Oh, Oh, To Touch and Feel Very Good, Very Awesome Humps.”

2. Function: “Some Say Marry Money, But My Brother Says Big Brains Matter More.” For example: CN I is Sensory, CN II is Sensory, CN III is Motor, CN IV is Motor, CN V is Both sensory and motor, and so forth.

TABLE 1-6 REFLEXES

	AFFERENT	EFFERENT
Corneal (blink) reflex	CN V₁	CN VII
Gag reflex	CN IX	CN X
Jaw jerk	CN V₃	CN V₃
Oculocardiac relex	CN V₁	CN X³

Cranial nerves

A. CN I: olfactory nerve

1. Foramen: cribriform plate of ethmoid bone.

2. Sensory function: smell.

3. Anatomic pathway: from the nasal epithelium, olfactory nerves cross the cribriform plate to join the olfactory bulb in the brain.

B. CN II: optic nerve

1. Foramen: optic canal.

2. Sensory distribution: vision.

3. Anatomic pathway: there are two optic nerves. Each optic nerve consists of medial (nasal) and lateral (temporal) processes. When the right optic nerve leaves the retina, its medial process crosses over the midline at the optic chiasm and joins the lateral process from the left side, forming the left optic tract. The right lateral process remains on the right side, and together with the left medial process forms the right optic tract. The optic tract continues to the lateral geniculate nucleus of the thalamus (Figure 1-6).

4. Note: the central artery of the retina, a branch of the ophthalmic artery, courses through the optic nerve.

C. CN III: oculomotor nerve

1. Foramen: superior orbital fissure.

2. Motor distribution: superior, medial, and inferior rectus muscles, inferior oblique muscle (Figure 1-7), and levator palpebrae superioris, which raises the eyelid.

3. Parasympathetic distribution: lacrimal gland, sphincter pupillae, and ciliary lens muscles. The last two control the papillary light reflex (constricts pupil) and shape of the lens (constricts for near vision), respectively.

4. Motor pathway: oculomotor nerve fibers run through the oculomotor nucleus in the midbrain to the extrinsic eye muscles.

5. Parasympathetic pathway: preganglionic nerve fibers originate at the Edinger-Westphal nucleus in the midbrain and are carried by the oculomotor nerve to the ciliary ganglion, where postganglionic neurons extend to the lacrimal gland and eye (Figure 1-8).

6. Pneumonic: all eye muscles are innervated by CN III (oculomotor) except SO₄LR₆ (i.e., the superior oblique is innervated by CN IV and lateral rectus is innervated by CN VI).

D. CN IV: Trochlear nerve

1. Foramen: superior orbital fissure.

2. Motor distribution: superior oblique muscle, which moves the eyeball laterally and downward.

E. CN V: Trigeminal nerve

1. Three divisions:

a. V₁—ophthalmic nerve.

b. V₂—maxillary nerve.

c. V₃—mandibular nerve.

2. V₁—ophthalmic nerve

a. Foramen: superior orbital fissure.

b. Sensory distribution: cornea, eyes, nose, forehead, and paranasal sinuses (Figure 1-9).

c. Sensory pathway: the ophthalmic nerve branches from the trigeminal ganglion and exits the skull via the superior orbital fissure. It then divides into three major nerves: the frontal, lacrimal, and nasociliary nerves.

3. V₂—maxillary nerve

a. Foramen: foramen rotundum.

b. Sensory distribution: cheek, lower eyelid, upper lip, nasopharynx, tonsils, palate, and maxillary teeth (Figure 1-9).

c. Sensory pathway: the maxillary nerve branches from the trigeminal ganglion and exits the skull through the foramen rotundum. It then passes through the pterygopalatine fossa, where it communicates with the pterygopalatine ganglion and terminates as the infraorbital and zygomatic nerves (Figure 1-10, Table 1-9).

d. Pterygopalatine ganglion: branches of the pterygopalatine ganglion consist of sensory, sympathetic, and parasympathetic fibers and include nerves traveling to the lacrimal gland, oral cavity, upper pharynx, and nasal cavity.

e. Infraorbital nerve: the posterior superior alveolar nerve branches off the infraorbital nerve in the pterygopalatine fossa. The infraorbital nerve then passes through the inferior orbital fissure to enter the orbit floor, coursing along the infraorbital groove toward the infraorbital canal. In the canal, the middle superior and anterior superior alveolar nerves branch off. The infraorbital nerve then exits the maxilla via the infraorbital foramen.

f. Zygomatic nerve: after branching from the maxillary nerve, the zygomatic nerve passes through the orbit after entering from the superior orbital fissure. A nerve branches off to the lacrimal gland, carrying with it parasympathetic fibers from the pterygopalatine ganglion (CN VII). The zygomatic nerve continues into the zygomatic canal, where it divides into the zygomaticofacial and zygomaticotemporal nerves. It also travels to the lacrimal gland.

g. Greater and lesser palatine nerves: the palatine nerves branch from the pterygopalatine ganglion and descend down the pterygopalatine canal toward the posterior palate.

h. Nasal branches: lateral nasal branches divide from the pterygopalatine ganglion toward the posterior nasal cavity. One of these branches, the nasopalatine nerve, extends past the septum, through the nasopalatine canal, and enters through the palate via the nasopalatine foramen. It also connects with the greater palatine nerve near the canine region.

4. V₃—mandibular nerve

a. Foramen: foramen ovale.

b. Sensory distribution: lower cheek, external auditory meatus, the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), chin, lower lip, tongue, floor of the mouth, and mandibular teeth (see Figure 1-9).

c. Motor distribution: muscles of mastication (temporalis, masseter, internal and external pterygoid muscles), anterior belly of the digastric, tensor tympani, tensor veli palatine, and mylohyoid muscle.

d. Note: the mandibular nerve (V₃) is the largest division of the trigeminal nerve and is the only one with motor function.

e. Anatomic pathway: both motor and sensory fibers of the mandibular nerve exit the skull through the foramen ovale, where they form the mandibular trunk. The trunk then divides into an anterior and posterior division in the infratemporal fossa. The anterior trunk further divides into the buccal (or long buccal), masseteric, lateral pterygoid, and deep temporal nerves. Divisions of the posterior trunk include the lingual, inferior alveolar, and auriculotemporal nerves (Figure 1-11, Table 1-10).

f. Inferior alveolar nerve (IAN): the IAN descends lateral to the lingual nerve and medial pterygoid muscle toward the mandibular foramen. It stays medial to the sphenomandibular ligament and lateral to the neck of the mandible within the pterygomandibular space. Before entering the foramen, the mylohyoid nerve branches off. The IAN then passes through the mandibular foramen into the mandibular canal, where it travels with the inferior alveolar artery and vein and forms a dental plexus, providing innervation to the mandibular posterior teeth. The IAN then divides into the mental nerve and the incisive nerve. The mental nerve exits the mandible via the mental foramen, which is usually located around the apex of the second mandibular premolar. The incisive nerve continues toward the mandibular anterior teeth.

g. Lingual nerve: the lingual nerve descends toward the base of the tongue, coursing between the medial pterygoid muscle and the mandible. It remains medial to the IAN. The chorda tympani (a branch from CN VII, containing parasympathetic fibers) joins it before it meets the submandibular ganglion, where it continues toward the submandibular and sublingual glands. The lingual nerve continues toward the tip of the tongue, crossing medially under the submandibular duct.

h. Auriculotemporal nerve: the auriculotemporal nerve travels posteriorly and encircles the middle meningeal artery remaining posterior and medial to the condyle. It continues up toward the TMJ, external ear, and temporal region, passing through the parotid gland and traveling with the superficial temporal artery and vein. Postganglionic parasympathetic nervous system fibers from the lesser petrosal branch, a branch from CN IX, join the auriculotemporal nerve to the parotid gland.

F. CN VI: Abducens nerve

1. Foramen: superior orbital fissure.

2. Motor distribution: lateral rectus muscle, which moves the eyeball laterally (i.e., abducts the eye) (Figure 1-7).

G. CN VII: Facial nerve

1. Sensory distribution: taste for the anterior two-thirds of the tongue.

2. Motor distribution: muscles of facial expression.

3. Parasympathetic distribution: sublingual, submandibular, and lacrimal glands.

4. Anatomic pathway: the facial nerve enters the internal acoustic meatus, located in the temporal bone. In the bone, the facial nerve communicates with the geniculate ganglion and the chorda tympani nerve branches off. The facial nerve then continues and descends to exit the skull via the stylomastoid foramen. The auricular nerve and nerves to the posterior belly of the digastric and stylohyoid muscles branch off before the facial nerve divides into five main branches: temporal, zygomatic, buccal, mandibular, and cervical branches (Figure 1-12). These nerves innervate the muscles of facial expression.

5. Greater petrosal nerve: the greater petrosal nerve branches from the geniculate ganglion, carrying preganglionic parasympathetic fibers in it, and travels through the foramen lacerum. It is then joined by the deep petrosal nerve (which contains sympathetic fibers from the carotid plexus) before it enters the pterygoid canal. It emerges as the nerve of the pterygoid canal. The nerve of the pterygoid canal continues toward the pterygopalatine fossa in the sphenoid bone, where it meets the pterygopalantine ganglion (Figure 1-13). Postganglionic parasympathetic fibers emerge from the ganglion and continue toward the lacrimal gland (along the zygomatic nerve, a branch of CN V₂), and smaller glands in the nasal cavity, upper pharynx, and palate (Figure 1-14).

6. Chorda tympani: the chorda tympani branches from the facial nerve, carrying both sensory fibers for taste and preganglionic parasympathetic fibers. It exits from of the temporal bone via the petrotympanic fissure and joins the lingual nerve (a branch of CN V₃) as it courses inferiorly toward the submandibular ganglion (see Figure 1-13). Postganglionic parasympathetic fibers emerge from the ganglion and continue toward the sublingual and submandibular glands (see Figure 1-14). Sensory fibers also branch from the nerve and provide taste sensation to the anterior two thirds of the tongue.

H. CN VIII: Vestibulocochlear nerve

1. Foramen: internal auditory meatus.

2. Sensory distribution: equilibrium, balance, and hearing.

I. CN IX: Glossopharyngeal nerve

1. Foramen: jugular foramen.

2. Sensory distribution: posterior one-third of the tongue (taste), pharynx, tonsils, middle ear, carotid sinus.

3. Parasympathetic distribution: parotid gland.

4. Motor and sensory pathways: the glossopharyngeal nerve exits the skull via the jugular foramen. It descends to the superior and inferior ganglion of CN IX, where the tympanic nerve of Jacobson (or tympanic nerve) branches off. Both ganglia contain sensory and motor cell bodies. The glossopharyngeal nerve then continues inferiorly to provide sensory and motor function to the posterior tongue, middle ear, pharynx, stylopharyngeus muscle, and carotid sinus.

5. Parasympathetic pathway: the tympanic nerve carries preganglionic parasympathetic fibers toward the tympanic cavity and plexus. It continues from there as the lesser petrosal nerve toward the otic ganglion, located behind the mandibular nerve (CN V₃). Postganglionic parasympathetic fibers emerge from the ganglion and travel along the auriculotemporal branch from CN V₃ to the parotid gland (Figure 1-15).

J. CN X: vagus nerve

1. Foramen: jugular foramen.

2. Motor distribution (with fibers from CN XI): the laryngeal muscles (phonation, swallowing), all muscles of the pharynx except the stylopharyngeus, and all muscles of the palate except the tensor veli palatine.

3. Sensory distribution: posterior one third of the tongue (taste), heart, lungs, and abdominal organs.

4. Parasympathetic distribution: heart, lungs, abdominal organs.

5. Anatomic pathway: the vagus nerve exits the skull via the jugular foramen at the medulla. It descends through the superior and inferior ganglion of the vagus nerve, giving off branches in the pharynx and larynx. The vagus nerve descends and is accompanied by the carotid artery and jugular vein within the carotid sheath as it enters the thoracic area. In the thorax, the right and left vagus nerves then give off the right and left recurrent laryngeal nerves, respectively, which both travel back up to into the neck. The two vagus nerves meet to form the esophageal plexus. Past the diaphragm, the joined vagus nerves (esophageal plexus) divide into the anterior and posterior vagal trunks.

6. Pharyngeal branches: the pharyngeal nerves branch from the inferior ganglion of the vagus nerve and travel to provide motor function to muscles of the pharynx.

7. Superior laryngeal branches: branch from the vagus nerve just below the inferior ganglion. They divide into external and internal laryngeal branches.

a. The external laryngeal nerve provides motor innervation to the cricothyroid muscle and inferior pharyngeal constrictor muscles.

b. The internal laryngeal nerve travels with the superior laryngeal artery and pierce through the thyrohyoid membrane to provide sensory innervation to mucous membranes from the base of the tongue to the vocal folds. The internal laryngeal nerve also carries parasympathetic fibers.

8. Recurrent laryngeal branches: the right recurrent laryngeal nerve ascends back to the neck around the subclavian artery. The left recurrent laryngeal nerve passes around the arch of the aorta or ligamentum arteriosum, before traveling up between the trachea and esophagus. As they ascend, the nerves provide sensory and parasympathetic innervation to mucous membranes and structures up to the vocal cords. The nerves then continue as the inferior laryngeal nerves in the larynx, providing motor innervation to all the muscles of the larynx, except the cricothyroid muscle. A motor branch also provides innervation to the inferior pharyngeal constrictor muscle.

K. CN XI: Accessory nerve

1. Foramen: jugular foramen.

2. Sensory distribution: sternocleidomastoid and trapezius muscles. Also joins with CN X in supplying motor function to palatal, laryngeal, and pharyngeal muscles.

L. CN XII: Hypoglossal nerve

1. Foramen: hypoglossal canal.

2. Motor distribution: intrinsic muscles of the tongue, genioglossus, hyoglossus, and styloglossus muscles.

Figure 1-6 Optic pathway of CN II.

(Modified from Liebgott B: The Anatomic Basis of Dentistry, ed 2, St. Louis, Mosby, 2001.)

Figure 1-7 Muscles and nerves involved in the coordination of eye movements.

Figure 1-8 Scheme of parasympathetic nerve fibers of CN III.

Figure 1-9 Sensory distribution for the three divisions of the trigeminal nerve.

(Modified from Fehrenbach M, Herring S: Illustrated Anatomy of the Head and Neck, ed 2, Philadelphia, WB Saunders, 2002.)

Figure 1-10 Branches of the maxillary nerve (CN V₂).

(Modified from Liebgott B: The Anatomic Basis of Dentistry, ed 2, St. Louis, Mosby, 2001.)

TABLE 1-9 BRANCHES OF THE MAXILLARY NERVE (CN V₂)

V₂ BRANCH	FUNCTION	DISTRIBUTION
Posterior superior alveolar nerve	Sensory	Maxillary second and third molars
		Maxillary first molar: palatal and distobuccal root
		Maxillary sinus
Middle superior alveolar nerve	Sensory	Maxillary first and second premolars
		Maxillary first molar: mesiobuccal root
Anterior superior alveolar nerve	Sensory	Maxillary anterior teeth
Greater palatine nerve	Sensory	Posterior hard palate
		Lingual gingiva of maxillary posterior teeth
Lesser palatine nerve	Sensory	Soft palate
Lesser palatine nerve	Sensory	Tonsils
Nasopalatine nerve	Sensory	Anterior hard palate
Nasopalatine nerve	Sensory	Lingual gingiva of maxillary anterior teeth

Figure 1-11 Branches of the mandibular division of the trigeminal nerve (CN V₃).

(Modified from Liebgott B: The Anatomic Basis of Dentistry, ed 2, St. Louis, Mosby, 2001.)

TABLE 1-10 BRANCHES OF THE MANDIBULAR DIVISION OF THE TRIGEMINAL NERVE (CN V₃)

V₃ BRANCH	FUNCTION	DISTRIBUTION
Long buccal nerve	Sensory	Cheek
		Buccal gingiva of posterior mandibular teeth
		Posterior buccal mucosa
Lingual nerve	Sensory	Lingual gingiva of mandibular teeth
Lingual nerve	Sensory	Floor of mouth
Inferior alveolar nerve	Sensory	Mandibular posterior teeth
Mental nerve	Sensory	Chin
		Lower lip
		Anterior labial mucosa
Incisive nerve	Sensory	Mandibular anterior teeth
Auriculotemporal nerve	Sensory	TMJ
		External auditory meatus
		Auricle
Deep temporal nerves, anterior and posterior	Motor	Temporalis muscle
Masseteric nerve	Motor	Masseter muscle
Lateral pterygoid nerve	Motor	Lateral pterygoid muscle