hnL6&7 - cranial nerve V (I & II)

• name the division of the trigeminal nerve:

  3 divisions:

  • opthalmic
  • maxillary
  • mandibular

  contains predominantly sensory fibres:

  • proprioception
  • pain
  • temperature
• describe the ophthalmic division:

  sensory function to forehead and eyes

  exits cranium via the superior orbital fissure
• describe the maxillary division:

  exits cranium via the foramen rotundum (in greater wing of the sphenoid bone)

  enters the pterygopalatine fossa and divides into:

  • zygomatic nerve
  • pterygopalatine nerves
  • infraorbital nerve
• describe the zygomatic nerve:

  first branch

  supplies sensory fibres to the zygomatic area of the face (right beside the ears)
• describe the route taken and function of the nasopalatine nerve:

  • passes into the nasal cavity and along the nasal septum to emerge through the incisive foramen. ( palate surrounding the UL 1-3 and UR 1-3).
  • supplies the palatal mucosa and palatal alveolar bone immediately behind the upper incisors.
• describe the route taken and the function of the greater palatine nerve:

  • passes down through the bone where the pterygoid plates join the back of the maxilla. passes through greater palatine foramen to the hard palate.
  • supplies palatal mucosa and palatal alveolar bone except immediately behind the incisors (UR 4-7).
• describe the route taken and the function of the lesser palatine nerve:

  • branches off the greater palatine nerve and passes through the lesser palatine foramen to the palate.
  • supplies the soft palate.
• name the 3 pterygopalatine nerves:

  1. nasopalatine nerve
  2. greater palatine nerve
  3. lesser palatine nerve
• describe the route taken and the function of the posterior superior alveolar nerve:

  • given off before infraorbital nerve enters its canal
  • passes downwards on the posterior surface of the maxilla
  • supplies sensory fibres to UPPER 2ND AND 3RD MOLARS, distobuccal and palatal roots of first molar, corresponding buccal mucosa and buccal alveolar bone.
• describe the route taken and the function of the middle superior alveolar nerve:


  • absent in 50%, but when present, it branches off in the infraorbital canal.
  • passes down wall of maxillary antrum
  • supplies sensory fibres to mesiobuccal root of first molar, premolars, corresponding buccal mucosa and buccal alveolar bone.
• describe the route taken and the function of the anterior superior alveolar nerve:

  • given off immediately before the infraorbital nerve emerges form its canal.
  • passes down inside the antrum.
  • supplies sensory fibres to anterior teeth, labial mucosa and labial alveolar bone. (UL 1-3)
• name the three infraorbital nerves:

  1. posterior superior alveolar nerve
  2. middle superior alveolar nerve
  3. anterior superior alveolar nerve
• when the infraorbital nerve emerges from its canal, where do the sensory fibres supply:

  • the lower eyelid
  • side of the nose
  • upper lip and cheek
• what nerve is affected when an infiltration anesthetic is delivered too high over the premolars?

  Infraorbital nerve is affected

  !!! your patient will let you know this has happened and is reversible !!!
• where does the mandibular division exit the cranium:

  via the foramen ovale
• what happens once the mandibular division leaves the cranium:

  it contains:

  • motor fibres for the muscles of mastication
  • sensory fibres for the structures of the lower jaw
• what happens when the mandibular division is traveling:

  it gains:

  • special taste fibres for the anterior 2/3 tongue
  • parasympathetic fibres for major salivary glands
• where does the mandibular division give off its branches?

  infratemporal fossa
• name the branches of the mandibular nerve:

  • nerves to muscles of mastication
  • nerve to mylohyoid
  • auriculotemporal nerve
  • long buccal nerve
  • lingul nerve
  • inferior alveolar nerve
  • mental nerve
  • incisive nerve
• describe the route taken and function of the auriculotemporal nerve (mandible):

  • gain parasympathetic fibres form the glossopharyngeal nerve (IX), which travel with it to supply the parotid gland.
  • passes backwards through the parotid gland (which wraps around the posterior border of the mandible)
  • is a sensory nerve which supplies sensory fibres to the temporomandibular joint, outer ear, and scalp.
• describe the route taken and function of the long buccal nerve (mandible):

  • passes forwards superficial to the lateral pterygoid muscle and crosses the retromolar triangle.
  • supplies sensory fibres to the cheek mucosa, buccal mucosa of the mandibular molars.
  • supplies sensory nerve fibres to buccal mucosa of molars.
• describe the route taken and function of the lingual nerve (mandible):


  • passes downwards between the ramus and medial pterygoid muscle
  • lingual nerve contains, sensory, parasympathetic, and special taste fibres.
  • supplies sensory fibres to the lingual mucosa (gingivae) of all lower teeth, floor of the mouth, anterior 2/3 of the tongue.
• describe the route taken and function of the inferior alveolar nerve (mandible):


  • before entering the mandible, it gives off the motor fibres as the mylohyoid branch.
  • enters inferior alveolar canal via mandibular foramen in the ramus of the mandible.
  • mainly sensory with some motor fibres
  • supplies sensory fibres to all teeth on one side of the mandible.
  • supplies sensory fibres to pulps of all teeth, lower lip, labial mucosa of premolars and incisors on one side of the mandible.
• explain how the inferior alveolar nerve is divided (mandible):

  Divided within the inferior alveolar canal to become:

  • the mental nerve : emerges from the canal via mental foramen and supplies sensory fibres to the labial mucosa associated with the lower teeth and the mucosa and skin of the lower lip.
  • incisive nerve: continues in the canal, supplies sensory fibres to lower anterior teeth. some cross-over innervation occurs at the midline.