From Trigeminal nerve Dorlands
/Elsevier n_05/12566125 FMA 52996 | Latin Nervus mandibularis TA A14.2.01.064 | |
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MeSH A08.800.800.120.760.500 | ||
The mandibular nerve (V3) is the largest of the three divisions of the trigeminal nerve, the fifth cranial nerve (CN V).
Contents
Structure
The large sensory root emerges from the lateral part of the trigeminal ganglion and exits the cranial cavity through the foramen ovale. The small motor root of the trigeminal nerve passes under the ganglion and through the foramen ovale to unite with the sensory root just outside the skull.
The mandibular nerve immediately passes between tensor veli palatini, which is medial, and lateral pterygoid, which is lateral, and gives off a meningeal branch (nervus spinosus) and the nerve to medial pterygoid from its medial side. The nerve then divides into a small anterior and large posterior trunk.
The anterior division gives off branches to the four main muscles of mastication and a buccal branch which is sensory to the cheek. The posterior division gives off three main sensory branches, the auriculotemporal, lingual and inferior alveolar nerves and motor fibres to supply mylohyoid and the anterior belly of the digastric muscle.
Branches
The mandibular nerve gives off the following branches:
Supplies
The mandibular nerve innervates:
Anterior Division:
(Motor Innervation - Muscles of mastication)
(Sensory Innervation)
Posterior Division
Lingual Split
(Sensory Innervation - NOT Taste)
Inferior Alveolar Split
(Motor Innervation)
(Sensory Innervation)
Auriculotemporal Split