ILA YADAV
PG 1ST YEAR
DEPT
. OF PROSTHODONTICS

THE MANDIBULAR NERVE IS ONE OF THE THREE
BRANCHES OF TRIGEMINAL NERVE.
The TRIGEMINAL NERVE is so called because of its three
main divisions i.e. the Ophthalmic, Maxillary & Mandibular
nerves.
❑ It is the largest of the cranial nerves.
❑ It is the fifth cranial nerve
❑ It is a mixed nerve.
❑ It is sensory to the greater part of the scalp, the teeth,
and the oral and nasal cavities.
❑ Motor supply is to the muscles of mastication.

MOTOR ROOT
It arises separately from the sensory root in the motor
nucleus of pons. At the semilunar ganglion it passes
inferolaterally under the ganglion towards for.ovale, through
which it leaves the middle cranial fossa along with the
man.div. After it exits the skull, it unites with the sensory
root and forms a single nerve trunk. It supplies the
following muscles:
1. Muscles of mastication
2. Mylohyoid
3. Ant belly of the diagastric
4. Tensor tympani
5. Tensor veli palatini

SENSORY ROOT
The fibres of the sensory root arise from the cells of the
trigeminal ganglion. The branches of the unipolar cells
of the trigeminal ganglion are divided into central and
peripheral branches. The central branches leave the
concave surface to enter the pons. The peripheral branches
are grouped to form the ophthalmic and maxillary nerves
and sensory part of the mandibular nerve.

THE TRIGEMINAL GANGLION
Sensory root fibres of the trigeminal nerve
comprise the centralprocess of cells located in the trigeminal
ganglion.2 ganglion ,one inervating each side of face.located in
meckel’s cavity,on the anterior surface of the petrous portion of
temporal bone.measures arprox. 1.0x2.0cm. It lies at depth of
4.5 –5 cm from the lateral aspect of the head near the
posterior part of the zygomatic arch.
It is cresentic or semilunar in shape. Medially it
is related to I.C.A & cavernous sinus, inferiorly with the
motor root and the greater petrosal nerve & the apex of
the petrous temporal bone and for.lacerum.
Blood supply to the ganglion is through the
ganglionic branches of the ICA & the accesory meningeal
artery which enters through the for.ovale.

Various nuclei associated with the fifth nerve are situated
within the pons. They are:
1. Motor nucleus
2. Sensory nucleus
3. Mesencephalic nucleus
4. Spinal nucleus
The 3 Main divisions of the trigeminal nerve are
V1 Opthalmic division.
V2 Maxillary division.
V3 Mandibular division.

OPTHALMIC NERVE
❑ It is the superior division of the V nerve & is the smallest.
❑ Leaves the cranium and enters the orbit through superior
orbital fissure.
❑ It is wholly sensory.
❑ It has 3 branches. All 3 of them pass through the sup. orbital
fissure into the orbit. They are;
1.Lacrimal nerve
2.Frontal nerve
3.Nasocilliary nerve
1. Lacrimal nerve: It is the smallest. It supplies the lacrimal
gland & the conjuntiva. It pireces the orbital septum and
ends in the skin of the upper eyelid.

2) Frontal nerve:
It is the largest branch & appears to be the direct
continuation of the ophthalmic division. It enters the orbit
through the SOF divides into 2 branches.
i. The supra orbital branch: It is larger & more laterally
placed. It supplies the skin of the forehead & scalp as far
back as the vertex. It also supplies the mucous membrane of
the frontal sinus & pericranium
ii. The supra trochlear branch: It is smaller & more medially
placed. It curves upward on the forehead , close to the bone.
It supplies the skin of the upper eyelid & lower part of the
forehead.

3) Nasocilliary nerve: It is intermediate in size & runs
more deeply. Its branches are divided as following;
i. Branches in the Orbit
ii. Branches in the Nasal cavity
iii. Branches on the face (I)
Branches in the Orbit:
i. Long root of the cilliary ganglion: It is sensory &
passes through the ganglion without synapsing and
supplies the eyeball.
ii. Long ciliary nerve: Supplies the Iris & Cornea.
iii. Posterior ethmoidal nerve: It enters the post.ethmoidal
canal & supplies to the mucous membrane lining of
the Post. Etmoidal & Sphenoidal paranasal air cells.

iv. Anterior ethmoidal nerve: It supplies to the
Ant.ethmoidal & frontal paranasal air cells. In the
upper part of the nasal cavity, it further divides into:
1) Internal nasal branches: It has medialseptal
branches to the septal membrane. It
also has lateral branches, which supply the
nasal conchae & the ant. nasal wall
2)External nasal branches: supplies the skin on
the tip & ala of the nose.

2) Branches in the nasal cavity:
The branches arising here supply the mucous membrane of
the nasal cavity.
3) Terminal branches on the face:
They supply sensory nerves to the skin of the medial parts
of the both eyelids, the lacrimal sac. They also supply skin
on the bridge of the nose.

MAXILLARY NERVE
❑This is the second & intermediate division of the trigeminal
nerve.
❑It is wholly sensory.
❑Course: It begins at the middle of the trigeminal ganglion
as a flattened, plexiform band, passes horizontally forwards
along the lateral wall of the cavernous sinus. It leaves the
skull through the foramen rotundum & becomes more
cylindrical & firmer in texture.It crosses the upper part of the
pterygopalatine fossa, inclines laterally on the posterior part
of the orbital process of the maxilla & enters the orbit through
the inferior orbital fissure.It is now termed as the infra
orbital nerve. It passes through the infra orbital groove &
canal in the floor of the orbit & appears on the face through
the infra orbital foramen.

The branches of the maxillary nerve can be divided into the
following 4 groups:
1) In the cranium: Meningeal
2) In the pterygopalatine fossa: Ganglionic, Zygomatic,
Post.superior alveolar
Middle sup. alveolar,
superior/ Greater
3) In the infra orbital canal:
Anterior
alveolar
4) On the face: Palpebral, nasal, superior labial

I. Branch given off on the cranium
1. Meningeal branch: It is given off near the foramen
rotundum. It supplies the duramater of the anterior & middle
cranial fossae.
II. Branches in the pterygopalatine fossa.
1.The ganglionic branches: They connect the maxillary nerve
to the pterygopalatine ganglion.They containsecretomotor fibres
to the lacrimal gland. They provide sensory fibres to the
orbital periosteum & mucous membrane of the nose, palate &
pharynx.
2.The zygomatic nerve: It arises in the pterygopalatine
fosssa from the maxillary nerve and travels anteriorly ,
entering through the inferior orbital fissure where it divides into 2
branches. The Zygomaticofacial nerve perforates the facial
surfaces & supplies the skin over the zygomatic bone..

The Zygomaticotemporal nerve perforates the temporal
surface of the zygomatic bone , pierces the temporalis
fascia, & supplies the skin over the anterior temporal fossa
region.
3. Posterior superior alveolar nerve: It begins in the
pterygopalatine fossa but divides into 3 branches which
emerge through the pterygomaxillary fissure.2 branches
enter the posterior wall of the maxilla above the tuberosity
& supply the 3 molar teeth(except the mesiobuccal root of
first molar). The third branch pierces the buccinator &
supplies the adjoining part of the gingiva & cheek along the
buccal side of the upper molar teeth.

III. Branches in the Infraorbital canal( Infraorbital nerve)
1. Middle superior alveolar nerve: It arises from the Infra
orbital nerve & runs downwards & forwards along the
infraorbital groove along the lateral wall of the maxillary
sinus. It divides into branches which supply the maxillary
premolars & mesiobuccal root of the first molar teeth.
2. Anterior superior alveolar nerve: It also arises in the
infraorbital canal near the mid point. It runs in the anterior
wall of the maxillary antrum. It runs inferiorly & divides
into the branches, which supply the canine & incisors. A
nasal branch from this nerve, given off from the superior
dental plexus supplies the mucous membrane of the anterior
part of the lateral wall & floor of the nasal cavity. It ends in
the nasal septum.

IV. Branches given on the face:
1. The palpebral branches: They arise deep to the
orbicularis oculi & pierce the muscle, supplying the skin over
the lower eyelid& lateral angle of the eye along with the
Zygomaticofacial & Facial nerves.
2.
3.
The nasal branches: They supply the skin of the nose &
tip of the nasal septum & join the External nasal branch of
the anterior ethmoidal nerve.
The superior labial branches: These are large &
the
labial
numerous. They supply the skin over the anterior part of
cheek & upper lip including the mucous membrane &
glands. They are joined by the facial nerve & form the
infraorbital plexus.

SphenopalatinePterygopalatine ganglion
❑
❑
❑
in
its
It is the largest of the peripheral ganglia.
It is associated with the greater petrosal nerve.
( Functionally it is part of the Facial nerve). It acts as a
relay staion bn the superior salivatory nucleus in the pons
and the lacrimal gland & mucous & serous glands of the
palate, nose & paranasal sinuses.
It lies in the pterygopalatine fossa, suspended from the
maxillary division of the trigeminal nerve by 2 roots just
front of the opening of the pterygoid canal.Branches arise
from the maxillary nerve through its ganglionic branches.
They do not establish any sympathetic connections with
cells. The branches are: -

The branches of the Pterygopalatine ganglion are:-
I.Orbital branches:
II.Palatine branches:
1.Anterior/greater palatine
2.Middle palatine
3.Posterior palatine
III.Nasal branches:
1.Posterior superior lateral
2.Nasopalatine/Sphenopalatine
IV.Pharyngeal branch:

1. Orbital branches:
They are made up of afferent fibres & convey sensory
impulses from the periosteum of the orbit. Others
supply the mucous membrane of the Posterior
ethmoidal & sphenoidal air cells.
2. Palatine branches:
They are distributed to the roof of the mouth,
soft palate, tonsil & lining membrane of the nasal
cavity. It gives of three branches. They are:-

Palatine branches:- continued
i. Greater palatine nerve: it emerges from the foramen medial
to the 3 rd molar, continues forward splitting into number of
branches. It is sensory to the mucosa of the hard palate &
palatal gingiva.
ii. Middle palatine nerve: This nerve emerges from a small
foramen in the medial aspect of the pyramidal part of the
palatine bone. Sensory supply is to the mucous
membrane of the soft palate.
iii. Posterior palatine nerve: It emerges from a foramen slightly
lateral to the median palatine nerve. It contains sensory &
secretomotor fibres to the mucous membrane of the
Tonsillar area.

3. Nasal branches:
i. Posterior superior lateral nerves: they supply they
posterior part of the nasal conchae
ii. Nasopalatine(Sphenopalatine) nerve: It passes
downwards & forwards between the periosteum &mucous
membrane in the region of the vomer, continues downwards &
forwards, reachs the floor of the nasal cavity.Descends into
the incisal canal to appear in the anterior part of the hard palate
& supplies the mucous membrane of the premaxilla.
4.Pharyngeal branches:
This branch supplies sensory & secretory fibers to the
passes
mucous membrane of the nasopharynx. It arises from
through the palatovaginal canal along with the
pharyngeal branch of the maxillary artery.

MANDIBULAR NERVE
❑ It is the third & largest division of the trigeminal
nerve.It is made up of 2 roots: a large sensory root
which proceeds from the lateral part of the trigeminal
ganglion & almost immediately emerges out through the
foramen ovale & a small motor root which passes below
the ganglion, & unites with the sensory root just
outside the foramen.
❑ Immediately beyond the junction of the 2 roots, the nerve
sends off the meningeal branch & the nerve to the medial
pterygoid. Now the main trunk divides into a small
anterior & a large posterior trunk.
❑ As it descends from the foramen, the mandibular nerve
lies at a distance of 4 cm from the surface & a little in

The braches of the Mandibular nerve:-
I. Branches of the undivided nerve.
i. Meningeal branch/nervus spinosus.
ii. Nerve to the medial pterygoid
II. Branches of the divided nerve:
(A) Anterior division: (B) Posterior division:
1. Auriculotemporal nerve
2.Lingual nerve
3.Inferior alveolar nerve
1.Buccal nerve
2.Massetric nerve
3.Deep temporal nerve
4.Nerve to the lateral pterygoid.

BRANCHESOFTHEUNDIVIDEDNERVE
1.Meningeal nerve:
It enters the skull through the foramen spinosum
along with MMA.
It has anterior & posterior divisions that supply the
dura of the middle & anterior cranial fossae.
2. Nerve to the medial pterygoid:
It is a slender branch that supplies to the deep
surface of the muscle.
It also gives 1-2 filaments to the tensor tympani &
the tensor veli palati muscles.

❑
BRANCHESOFTHEDIVIDEDNERVE
I. Anterior division
1.The buccal nerve:
It passes between the 2 heads of the lateral pterygoid &
descends beneath or through the temporalis. It emerges
from under cover of the ramus & ant. border of the
masseter & unites with the buccal branches of he facial
nerve.
❑ It supplies the skin over the ant. part of the buccinator
& mucous membrane lining the buccal surface of the
gum.

2.The massetric nerve:
~Passes laterally above the lateral pterygoid in
front of the TMJ & behind the tendon of
temporalis.
~It passes through the mandibular notch to sink
into the masseter muscle.
~It also gives a branch to the TMJ.
3.The deep temporal nerves:
~They are 2 in number.
~They pass above the upper head of the lateral
pterygoid, turn above the infra temporal crest &
sink into the deep part of the temporalis muscle.
4.The nerve to the lateral pterygoid.
~These are 2 in number; one supplying each muscle head.

II.Posterior Division
1.The Auriculotemporal nerve:
Course of the nerve
} The auriculotemporal nerve arises by a medial & lateral
roots, that enclircle the MMA & unite behind it just
below the foramen spinosum.
} The united nerve passes backwards, deep to the lateral
pterygoid muscle & passes between the
sphenomandibular ligament & the neck of the condyle.
} It then passes laterally behind the TMJ i.r.t. to the upper
part of the parotid. It emerges from behind the TMJ,
ascends posterior to the superficial temporal vessels &
crosses the posterior root of the zygomatic arch.

Branches of the Auriculotemporal nerve:
1. Parotid branches-----secretomotor, vasomotor.
2. Articular branches--- to the TMJ.
3. Auricular branches---to the skin of the helix & tragus.
4. Meatal branches----- Meatus of the tymphanic
membrane
5. Terminal branches----Scalp over the temporal region

Lingual nerve
~It lies between the ramus of the mandible & the muscle
in the pterygomandibular space.
~It then passes deep to reach the side of the tongue. Here it
lies in the lateral lingual sulcus against the deep surface of the
molar
of the
mandible on the medial side of the roots of the third
tooth where it is covered only by mucous membrane
gum.
~From here it passes on to the side of the the side of the
tongue where it is crosses the styloglossus & runs on the
surface of the hyoglossus & deep to the mylohyoid in
lateral
close
relation to the deep part of the submandibular gland &its duct.
~It gives off sensory fibres to the tonsil & the mucous
membrane of the posterior part of the oral cavity.

Communication of the facial nerve (Chorda
tymphani) with the lingual nerve.
As the lingual nerve passes medially to the lateral
pterygoid, it is joined from behind by the chorda
tympani. This nerve conveys secretory fibres from the
facial nerve. The parasympathetic secretory fibres control
the submandibular & sublingual salivary glands.

Inferior alveolar nerve.
~It is the largest terminal branch of the posterior division
of the mandibular nerve.
~The nerve descends deeep to the lateral pterygoid muscle
at the lower border of the muscle, it passes b/n the
sphenomandibular ligament & the ramus to enter the
mandibular foramen.
~In the canal the nerve runs alongside the inferior
alveolar artery as far as the mental foramen where it
emerges out& gives off the mental & incisive branches.
~From here the nerve runs in the canal giving of branches
to the mandibular teeth as apical fibres & enters the apical
foramena of the teeth to supply mainly the pulp as well as
the periodontium.

Branches of the nerve :-
1. Mental nerve: it supplies to the skin of the chin & the
mucous membrane as well as the skin of the lower lip.
2. Incisive branch: continues anteriorly from the mental
nerve in the body of the mandible to form the incisive
plexus & supplies the canine & incisors.
3. Mylohyoid nerve: it is given of before the nerve enters the
canal & contains both sensory & motor fibres.It pierces
the sphenomandibular ligament, descends in a groove in
the medial side of the ramus & passes beneath the
mylohyoid line supplying the mylohyoid muscle as well
as the anterior belly of the digastric.

Submandibular ganglion:
It is a small ovoid body that is suspended from the
lingual nerve above the submandibulat salivary gland. The
preganglionic parasympathetic fibres reach the ganglion
arising from the superior salivatory nucleus, reaching through the
facial, chorda tympani & the lingual nerve. Post ganglionic fibres
are conveyed
anterior
through the submandibular, sublingual &
lingual salivary glands.
The sensory nerves reach the ganglion through the
lingual nerve.
Sympathetic fibres are derived from the plexus around
the facial artery & contain post ganglionic fibres arising
in the superior cervical ganglion. They provide
secretomotor fibres to the submandibular & sublingual
glands.

Otic ganglion
It is a flattened ovoid body located on the medial side of
the undivided nerve. It is situated below the foramen
ovale & the MMA. It has 2 main roots:-
1.Parasympathetic preganglionic (secretory) fibres:
they arise from the inferior salivatory nucleus.The
efferent fibres pass by way of the glossopharyngeal nerve
through the jugular canal.Below the canal it passes through the
tympanic branch of the glossopharyngeal
nerve), passing through the tympanic
petrosal branch to reach the Ganglion.
nerve( Jacobson’s
plexus & the lesser
(the lesser superficial
petrosal nerve is the parasympathetic root of the otic ganglion)
The postganglionic fibres pass through the auriculotemporal
nerve.

parotid
2.Sympathetic root: It is made up of the
postganglionic fibres that have originated in the
superior cervical sympathetic ganglion & the
plexus of the MMA. The fibres pass through the
ganglion uninterrupted. These fibres reach the
thru the auriculotemporal nerve.
Afferent of sensory nerves come from the parotid
through the auriculotenporal nerve.

GENRAL CONSIDERATIONS
OF TRIGEMINAL NERVE.

Damage to the trigeminal nerve as a complication of surgery
Cancer surgeries: the tendency of squamous cell
carcinoma to affect the cutaneous branches places these
nerves at risk for injury during surgery. Similarly the
tendency of salivary gland tumors (ACC) to spread along
perinueral spaces.
The ophthalmic branches( frontal, SO, ST, lacrimal &
nasal) can be injured during eye brow surgeries. All
patients in whom coronal incision was made complained
of forehead numbness & paresthesias.
Paresthesias of the upper lip, gums & teeth are a
common complication of transantral procedures.
Risk of damage to the lingual nerve is to be anticipated
during procedures like removal of impacted third
molars, submandibular gland surgeries etc..

Trigeminal nueralgia:
It is a paroxysmal, intermittant,excruciating pain
confined to one of the branches of the trigeminal nerve.
Characterised by unilateral affliction, not crossing the
midline, presence of trigger zones, cessation of pain
during sleep.
The etiology is not definitely known. Suggested causes
are viral lesions of the ganglion, demyelination of the
nerves, narrowing of the foramina & Idiopathic.
Diagnosis: Based on C/f s & diagnostic test block on the
trigger zones.
Treatment modalities include..

1. Carbamazepine(Tegretol) 100 mg od, bd or tid, depending
on the severity or frequency of pain.
2. Injection of 60 to 90% alcohol in the nerve trunk or
ganglion.
3. Peripheral nuerectomy or cryotherapy of the peripheral
trigger zone.
4. Peripheral radiofrequency thermolysis & radiofrequency
thermogangliolysis.
5. Microvascular nerve root decompression procedure. It is a
nuerosurgical procedure wherein the internal vascular
loops of the superior cerebellar artery is made to compess
on the trigeminal nerve root.

Mental nerve nueralgia.
Due to resorption of the lower alveolar ridge, the borders
of the denture flange may compress on the mental nerve,
causing pain. Radiologically, the foramen can be seen at
the level of the surface of the ridge. Shifting the foramen
down is the treatment of choice.
Similar pain is felt due to narrowing of the foramen.
Decompession of the nerve by carefully enlargening the
foramen is the treatment of choice.