1. CRANIAL
NERVES
1

2. CONTENTS
• Introduction
• Nerve supply – cranial nerves
1. Olfactory
2. Optic
3. Occulomotor
4. Trochlear
5. Trigeminal
• Opthalmic
• Maxillary
• mandibular
6. Abducent
7. Facial
8. Vestibulo – cochlear
9. Glossopharyngeal
10. Vagus
11. Accessory
12. Hypoglossal
2

3. INTRODUCTION
• Head , neck and face are very important organs for dentistry.
• Because sensory organs , glands are located in this area.
• The innervation of working field is completely related to
cranial nerves.
• Cranial nerves are important because not only they are
related to cranial cavity but they play a vital role to supply the
structures in the oral cavity.
• Nerve supply of a particular organ is an important aspect in
the study of that organ.
• Any abnormality in the structure may be because of nerve.
3

4. INTRODUCTION
• Hence it is very important to know the detail structure , course
and anatomy of the nerve , structures supplied by the nerve to
complete evaluation of our working field.
4

5. NERVE SUPPLY
 CRANIAL NERVES
• Nerves those exit from the cranial cavity through openings in the cranium.
• 12 pairs of cranial nerves.
• They are named and numbered in the sequence according to their attachment
to brain and superior spinal cord.
5

6. I - Olfactory
II - Optic
III - Occulomotor
IV - Trochlear
V - Trigeminal
VI - Abducent
VII - Facial
VIII - Vestibulo -
cochlear
IX -
Glossopharyngeal
X - Vagus
XI - Accessory 6

7. I. OLFACTORY
• Special sensory
• Cells of origin : Olfactory epithelium
• Cranial exit : Foramina in cribriform plate of ethmoid bone
• Main action : Smell from - nasal mucosa of roof of each nasal cavity
superior sides of nasal septum and superior concha
• Applied anatomy : destruction of olfactory nerves results in loss of sense of
smell ( anosmia )
7

8. 8

9. II. OPTIC
• Special sensory
• Cells of origin : Retina (ganglion cells)
• Cranial exit : Optic canal
• Main action : Vision from retina
• Applied anatomy : injury to nerve results in blindness on the same side.
9

10. 10

11. III. OCCULOMOTOR
• Two functional components
 SOMATIC MOTOR
• Cells of origin : Occulomotor nucleus
• Cranial exit : Superior orbital fissure
• Main action : 1. Motor innervation to superior , inferior and medial recti ,
inferior oblique and levator palpebrea superioris muscles
2. Raises upper eyelid
3. Turns eyeball superiorly , inferiorly and medially
11

12.  VISCERAL MOTOR
• Cells of origin : Presynaptic – Midbrain
Postsynaptic : Ciliary ganglion
• Cranial exit : Superior orbital fissure
• Main action : 1. Parasympathetic innervation to sphincter pupillae and ciliary
muscles
2. Constricts pupil
3. Accommodates lens of eyeball
• Applied anatomy : complete or total paralysis of nerve causes –
• Ptosis ( drooping of the upper eyelid )
• Dilatation of the pupil
• Slight proptosis ( forward projection of the eye )
• Diplopia ( double vision )
12

13. 13

14. IV. TROCHLEAR
• Functional component : Somatic motor
• Cells of origin : Trochlear nucleus
• Cranial exit : Superior orbital fissure
• Main action : Motor to superior oblique , which assists in eyeball inferolaterally
• Applied anatomy : when nerve damaged , diplopia occurs on looking
downwards.
14

15. V. TRIGEMINAL
• Largest cranial nerve
• Nerve contains : Sensory fibers
Motor fibers
• Afferent fibers – Sensory fibers ( portio major )
• Efferent fibers – Motor fibers ( portio minor )
• General somatic afferent fibers convey exteroceptive and proprioceptive
impulses.
• Exteroceptive impulses ( Touch , pain and thermal )
Transmitted from skin of the face and forehead and mucous membrane of
nasal cavities and floor of the mouth , teeth , anterior 2/3 rd of tongue ,
extensive portion of cranial dura.
• Proprioceptive impulses ( Deep pressure and movement )
Conveyed from teeth , periodontium , hard palate , TMJ
15

16. • Also convey afferent fibers from stretch receptors in muscles of mastication.
• Special visceral efferent fibers innervate muscles of mastication , tensor
tympani , tensor veli palatini , muscles of eye , facial muscles
• Nerve is attached to lateral part of pons by two roots : Motor and Sensory
• Two roots then enter in middle cranial fossa.
 SENSORY ROOT
• Fibers of root arise from seminular ganglion.
• Ganglion is developed from neural crest.
• It is located in Meckel’s cavity.
• Crescent shaped
• Contains unipolar neurons.
• Neurons forms central and peripheral processes.
16

17. • Peripheral – Form opthalmic , maxillary and mandibular division of nerve.
• Central – Form sensory root of nerve.
- branches leave ganglion and pons , back and enter the pons and
divide into ascending and descending fibers.
- fibers convey light touch , tactile touch , tactile discrimination , sense
of position and passive movement
- ascending fibers terminates in upper sensory nucleus (main nucleus
of nerve)
- upper (main) nucleus give rise to dorsal trigeminotalmic tract.
- spinal nucleus give rise to ventral trigeminothalmic tract.
- ventral fibers convey pain and temperature from entire trigeminal area.
17

18.  MOTOR ROOT
• Consist of fibers which originate in motor nucleus.
• Fibers supply the muscles of mastication.
• So , often nerve is called as masticatory nerve.
 MESENCEPHALIC ROOT
• Consist of afferent fibers that accompany the fibers of motor root.
• Entering the pons , fibers ascend to mesencephalic nucleus.
• Nucleus serves as afferent station – receive proprioceptive impulses from -
TMJ , periodontal membrane , maxillary and mandibular teeth , hard
palate.
• Also receive afferent impulses from stretch receptors in muscles of
mastication.
• These fibers are connected with control of biting force of jaws. 18

19.  DIVISIONS OF TRIGEMINAL NERVE
Three large nerves proceed from convex border of semilunar ganglion.
OPTHALMIC NERVE ( V1 )
MAXILLARY NERVE ( V2 )
MANDIBULAR NERVE ( V3 )
19

20. 20

21. 1. OPTHALMIC NERVE ( V1 )
• First division
• Smallest division
• General sensory
• Cells of origin : Trigeminal ganglion
• Cells of termination : Main , spinal and mesencephalic nucleus of trigeminal nerve.
• Cranial exit – Superior orbital fissure
• Fibers passes sensory impulses from :
Scalp
Skin of forehead
Upper eyelid, lining the frontal sinus
Lining of ethmoid cells
Skin of the lateral angle of the eye
Sclera of the eyeball and conjuctiva
21

22. • Also give communication branches to occulomotor , trochlear and abducent
cranial nerve.
• As it passes forward from cavernous sinus , it gives three branches.
a. LACRIMAL
b. FRONTAL
c. NASOCILLIARY
22

23. a. LACRIMAL
• Smallest
• Passes into the orbit at the lateral angle of superior orbital fissure.
• Then courses anterolaterally to reach lacrimal gland.
• Supplies sensory fibers to lacrimal gland and adjacent conjuctiva.
23

24. b. FRONTAL
• Largest
• Direct continuation of opthalmic nerve
• Enters the orbit through superior orbital fissure
• At about middle of the orbit , nerve divides into two branches :
SUPRAORBITAL SUPRATROCHLEAR
- Largest - Smallest
- Supply – Skin of the upper eyelid - Supply – Skin of upper eyelid
- the forehead - lower medial portion
- anterior scalp region to of head
vertex of skull
24

25. c. NASOCILLIARY
• Enters the orbit through superior orbital fissure.
• Branches are divide into those arising in the orbit , in the nasal cavity and on
the face
BRANCHES ARISING
IN THE ORBIT
BRANCHES ARISING
IN THE NASAL CAVITY
BRANCHES ARISING
ON THE FACE
i) Long root of ciliary ganglion –
Eyeball
ii) Long ciliary nerves – Iris ,
cornea
iii) Posterior ethemoid nerve –
mucous membrane lining of
posterior ethemoidal cells
- sphenoid sinus
iv) Anterior ethemoidal nerves –
mucous membrane of anterior
ethemoidal cells
- frontal sinus
In upper part of nasal cavity it divides
Internal nasal External nasal
Branches branches
- Medial or - Skin over tip
septal branches and ala of
- Lateral branches the nose
Ant nasal wall
Nasal concha
Branches arise in the nasal cavity to
supply mucous membrane lining of
the cavity
Branches supply sensory fibers to
-Skin of the medial parts of both
eyelids
-Lacrimal sac
-Lacrimal coruncle
-Terminal fibers supply the skin over
the side of the bridges of nose
25

26. 26

27. • AUTONOMIC GANGLIAON ASSOCIATED WITH OPTHALMIC NERVE
CILIARY GANGLION
• Lies in the posterior part of the orbital cavity.
• Ganglion has three roots –
A. MOTOR OR SHORT ( PREGANGLIONIC , PARASYMPATHETIC ) ROOT
• Fibers arise from cells in the nucleus of Edinger-Westfal.
• Preganglionic fibers synopse with post-ganglionic fibers , whose neurons form
short ciliary nerve – innervates the sphincter pupillae and ciliary muscles of iris.
27

28. B. SENSORY OR LONG ( POSTGANGLIONIC , SYMPATHETIC ) ROOT
• Fibers derived from nasociliary nerve.
• Root also carries postganglionic fibers of superior cervical sympathetic ganglion.
• They join nasociliary nerve and to innervate radial fibers of dialator pupillae muscle
in the iris
C. SYMPATHETIC ROOT
• Fibers come from sensory root of nasociliary nerve.
• Short ciliary nerves emerges from anterior border of ciliary ganglion.
• Fibers of nerve contains sensory , sympathetic and parasympathetic fibers.
• SENSORY : Afferent from all parts of eyeball and conjuctiva.
• SYMPATHETIC : Postganglionic fibers pass to radial fibers of dilator pupil muscle
( dilation of pupil )
• PARASYMPATHETIC : Postganglionic fibers innervates the circular muscle fibers
of the iris ( constriction of pupil )
28

29. 2. MAXILLARY NERVE ( V2 )
• Entirely sensory
• Originates at the middle of the semilunar ganglion and continue forward in the
lower part of the cavernous sinus.
• Passes through the foramen rotundum , through which it leaves the cranial
fossa and enters the pterigopalatine fossa.
• Then it enters the superior orbital fissure to pass into the orbital cavity.
• Turns laterally , in a groove on the orbital surface of the maxilla , called
infraorbital groove.
• Nerve transmits sensory ( afferent ) impulses from lower eyelid , side of the
nose and upper lip.
• Nerve is sensory to –
- all maxillary teeth and their gingiva
- mucous membrane of most of the nasal cavity 29

30. - Hard and soft palate region
- Part of the tonsillar region
- From the region of the pharynx near the opening of the auditary tube.
30

31. BRANCHES OF THE MAXILLARY NERVE
• Nerve gives off branches in four region :
I) BRANCHES GIVEN OFF IN THE MIDDLE CRANIAL FOSSA
Middle meningeal nerve , passes with middle meningeal artery to supply
dura and sensory fibers.
II) BRANCHES IN THE PTERYGOPALATINE FOSSA
A) Zygomatic nerve
Passes anteriorly and laterally through inferior orbital fissure into the
orbit and divide into two parts :
31

32. i) Zygomaticofacial nerve
Supplies to the skin over the prominences of zygomatic bone.
ii) Zygomaticotemporal nerve
Supplies to the skin over the anterior temporal fossa region.
32

33. B) PTERYGOPALATINE ( SPHENOPALATINE ) NERVES
• Two short nerve trunks that unite at the pterygopalatine ganlion and are then
redistributed into several branches.
• Majority of the fibers are somatic afferent fibers.
• Branches are divided into three groups :
i) Orbital branches
Supply to – periosteum of the orbit
- mucous membrane of the part of the posterior ethemoid cells
- sphenoid sinus
ii) Nasal branches
• In nasal cavity , the branches divide into :
a) Posterior superior lateral nasal branches
Supply to the mucous membrane of the nasal septum and posterior ethemoid
cells. 33

34. b) Medial or septal branch
Supplies the mucous membrane over the vomer .
iii) Palatine branches
• Branches descend in the pterygoid canal , where it divide into :
a) Greater or anterior palatine nerve
• Emerges on the hard palate
• Pass through greater palatine foramen
• Supplies the major part of the hard palate and the palatine gingivae.
34

35. b) Middle palatine nerve
• Emerges from lesser palatine foramen
• Supplies the mucous membrane of the soft palate
c) Posterior palatine fibers
• Emerges from lesser palatine foramen
• Supplies to the tonsillar area
C) POSTERIOR SUPERIOR ALVEOLAR BRANCHES
• Two or three branches leave the maxillary division just before it enters the
inferior orbital fissure.
• Pass downward and continue on posterior surface of maxilla.
• An internal branch opens on the posterior surface of maxilla.
• In the bone , the nerve passes downward to the posterior wall of the maxillary
sinus to supply to the mucous membrane of the sinus.
• Also it supplies the maxillary molars and their gingivae.
35

36. • In the depth of the socket , some fibers pass to supply periodontal
membranes.
• Pulpal fibers pass through apical foramina of roots of molar teeth to supply
dental pulps.
III) BRANCHES IN THE INFRAORBITAL GROOVE AND CANAL
• Nerve in the infraorbital groove and canal is known as the infraorbital nerve.
• From groove several fibers divide and descend.
A) Middle superior alveolar nerve
• Branches within the mucous membrane of maxillary sinus.
• In some cases nerve leaves the infraorbital nerve in posterior part of the
infraorbital canal and passes downward and anterior to supply maxillary
bicuspids.
• In other cases , nerve leaves the main trunk in the infraorbital canal near the
infraorbital foramen and passes downward in the anterior wall of the sinus. 36

37. B) Anterior superior alveolar nerve
• Descends from infraorbital nerve just inside the infraorbital foramen.
• Supplies the roots of central and lateral incisors and cuspids.
• Also supplies the mucous membrane of the anterior part of the maxillary sinus
and labial gingivae of the incisors and cuspids.
37

38. IV) TERMINAL BRANCHES ON THE FACE
• When infraorbital nerve emerge from the
Infraorbital foramen on the front of the maxilla
it divides into three branches :
A) Inferior palpebral branches
Pass upward and supplies the skin of the
lower eyelid and its conjuctiva.
B) External / lateral nasal branches
Supplies the skin of the side of the nose
C) Superior labial branches
Supplies the skin and mucous membrane of the
upper lip 38

39. • AUTONOMIC GANLION ASSOCIATED WITH THE MAXILLARY NERVE
SPHENOPALATINE GANGLION
• Associated with the great superficial petrosal nerve.
• Contains cell bodies of afferent taste fibers.
• Lies deep in pterygopalatine fossa.
• Branches from the ganglion :
A) Orbital branches
• Afferent in nature
• Supply the mucous membrane of the posterior ethmoid cells and the sphenoid
sinus.
B) Nasal branches
• Divided into two groups :
i) Posterior superior lateral nerves
Innervates the mucosa over the posterior part of the nasal concha.
39

40. ii) Nasopalatine nerve
Supplies the mucous membrane of maxilla.
C) Palatine branches
• From ganglion , branches descends in the pterygopalatine fossa and canal
and divides into :
i) Greater / anterior palatine nerve
Supplies the major part of the mucous membrane of the hard palate and
palatal gingivae.
ii) Middle palatine nerve
Supplies mucous membrane of the soft palate.
iii) Posterior palatine nerves
Supplies the mucous membrane of the tonsillar area.
D) Pharyngeal branches
supplies mucous membrane of the nasopharynx.
40

41. 3. MANDIBULAR NERVE ( V3 )
• Largest of the three divisions
• Union of large sensory ( afferent ) bundles of fibers and small motor ( efferent )
bundle of fibers.
• Sensory fibers :
• peripheral extensions of unipolar cells in the semilunar ganglion.
• Fibers are distributed to : the dura, skin, mucous membrane of the chin , cheek and
lower lip
- the external ear region
- parotid gland
- temporomandibular articulation
- the scalp over the region of the temporal bone
- lower teeth and their gingivae
- anterior 2/3rd
of the tongue
41

42. • Motor fibers :
• Fibers are derived from the cells in the medulla oblangata.
• When sensory root leaves the semilunar ganglion , motor root joins it.
• Two roots pass side by side upto foramen ovale.
• Leaving the foramen ovale , the two roots unite to form a short single trunk.
• Branches are divided into two groups :
A) BRANCHES FROM THE UNDIVIDED NERVE
i) Nervus spinosus
Supplies the dura of the middle cranial fossa and the mastoid cells.
ii) Nerve to internal pterygoid muscle
A branch of the motor root passes to supply internal pterygoid muscle.
B) BRANCHES OF THE DIVIDED NERVE
Below the level of the undivided part , trunk seperates into two parts :
42

43. i) Anterior division
• Smaller
• Receives sensory and motor fibers that supply :
the muscles of mastication
the skin and mucous membrane of the cheek
the buccal gingivae
lower molars
• Then it passes downward and forward , where it divides
Branch Supply
1. Pterygoid nerve Motor nerve supply to external pterygoid
muscle
2. Massetter nerve Enters the deep side of massetter muscle
to supply it
3. Nerves to temporal muscle
a. Anterior deep temporal nerve
Ends in the deep part of the anterior
portion of the temporal muscle
b. Posterior deep temporal nerve Posterior portion of temporal muscle
43

44. 44

45. 4. Buccal nerve
• At about level of the occlusal plane of mandibular seond and third molars , it
divides into several branches.
• Sends fibers to the mucous membrane of the cheek region.
• Some other fibers pass into the retromolar triangle.
• Supplies sensory fibers to the buccal gingivae of mandibular molars and
mucous membrane of buccal vestibule.
ii) Posterior division
• Mainly sensory but also carries some motor components.
• Divides into :
1. Auriculotemporal nerve
2. Lingual nerve
3. Inferior alveolar nerves
45

46. 46

47. 1. Auriculotemporal nerve
• Arises by a medial and lateral root
• Roots unite behind the middle meningeal artery just below foramen spinosum.
• United nerve passes posteriorly , deep to the external pterygoid muscle , and
then between the sphenomandibular ligament and the neck of the condyle of
the mandible.
• Branches :
1. Parotid branches Gives off sensory , secretory and
vasomotor fibers to the gland
2. Articular branches Sensory inervation to the TMJ
3. Auricular branches Sensory fibers supplying skin of the
helix and tragus
4. Meatal branches Supplies the skin lining of the
meatus and the tympanic membrane
5. Terminal branches Scalp over the temporal region
47

48. 48

49. 2. Lingual nerve
• Smaller
• Passes medially to the external pterygoid muscle.
• Then it descends and lies between internal pterygoid muscle and ramus of the
mandible in the pterygomandibular space.
• In the pterygomandibular space , nerve lies parallel to the inferior alveolar
nerve.
• Then passes deep to reach the side of the base of the tongue.
• Passes sensory innervation from :
- mucous membrane covering the anterior 2/3rd
of tongue
- mucous membrane of the floor of the mouth and of the lingual side of the
mandibular gingivae
- from submandibular and sublingual glands and their ducts
49

50. • Also convey special sense of taste from the anterior 2/3rd
of tongue.
3. Inferior alveolar nerve
• Largest
• Passes downward on the medial side of the external petrygoid muscle and ramus.
• On medial side of ramus in the pterygomandibular space , it enters the mandibular
foramen.
• In the inferior alveolar canal it gives off branches to mandibular teeth as apical
fibers to supply dental pulps and some fibers to periodontal membrane.
• As nerve reaches to mental foramen . It divides into two terminal branches.
• Mental nerve : transmits sensory fibers to the skin of the chin and lower lip and
mucous membrane lining the lower lip.
• Incisive branch : forms a fine incisive plexus that supplies the cuspid tooth and
incisor teeth.
50

51. AUTONOMIC GANGLIA ASSOCIATED WITH THE MANDIBULAR NERVE
• Two ganglia are associated :
A) Submandibular ganglion
• Small ovoid body
• It is suspended by two nerves from the lingual nerve.
• Parasympathetic fibers are preganglionic
• They course within the intermediate nerve and the facial canal and group
together to form the quarda tympani nerve.
51

52. B) Otic ganglion
• Flattened ovoid body
• Two main roots :
1) Parasympathetic preganglionic fibers
• Arise in the inferior salivatory nucleus
• The lesser petrosal nerve is the parasympathetic root of otic ganglion.
• In the otic ganglion , parasympathetic fibers join the auriculotemporal nerve to
go to the parotid gland.
2) Sympathetic nerve
• Root is made up of postganglionic fibers that originated in the superior
cervical sympathetic ganglion.
• Fibers pass with parasympathetic fibers to join to the auriculotemporal nerve
and continue to the parotid gland.
52

53. • APPLIED ANATOMY
• Because of the sensory distribution of the trigeminal nerve , headache is
common symptom in involvement of nose ( common cold ) , paranasal air
sinuses ( sinusitis ) , teeth ( infections ).
• Trigeminal neuralgia : an extremely painful condition
 Trauma to face, facial fractures, and tumours involves the peripheral
branches resulting in anesthesia to light, touch and temperature changes
over the area supplied by injured branch.
• Lingual nerve damage during extraction of lower 3rd
molar.
• Care should be taken during surgeries involving premolar areas as they can
cause damage to the mental nerve & result in loss of sensation in chin region.
53

54. V. ABDUCENT
• Functional component – Somatic motor
• Cells of origin – Abducent nucleus
• Cranial exit – Superior orbital fissure
• Main action – Motor to superior oblique that assist in turning eyeball
inferolaterally.
• Applied anatomy : paralysis of nerve results in squint and diplopia.
54

55. VI. FACIAL
• It is the nerve of the second branchial arch.
• Functional component –
a) Special visceral efferent ( branchial motor ) – to muscles responsible for
facial expressions
b) General visceral efferent – to fibres are secretomotor to salivary glands ,
lacrimal gland and glands of nose , palate and pharynx
c) Special visceral afferent – fibers carry taste sensations from the anterior
2/3rd
of tongue and from the palate
d) General somatic afferent – fibers innervatess a part of the skin of the ear
55

56. 56

57. BRANCHES :
A. Within the facial canal
1. Greater petrosal nerve
• Supplies the lacrimal gland and mucosal glands of the nose , palate and
pharynx
2. The nerve to the stapedius
• Arises opposite of the middle ear and supplies the stapedius muscle
3. The chorda tympani nerve
• Secretomotor fibers to supply the submandibular and sublingual salivary
gland
• Taste fibers from anterior 2/3rd
of the tongue
57

58. B. As it exit from the stylomastoid foramen
1. Posterior auricular
• Supplies auricularis posterior , occipitalis and the intrinsic muscles on the
back of the auricle.
2. Diagastric
• Supplies the posterior belly of diagastric
3. Stylohyoid
• Arise with the diagastric branch and supplies the stylohyoid muscle.
C. Terminal branches ithin the parotid gland
1. Temporal
• Cross the zygomatic arch and supplies – the auricularis anterior
- the auricularis superior
- the intrinsic muscles on the lateral side of the ear
- the frontalis 58

59. 2. Zygomatic
• Run across the zygomatic bone and supply the orbicularis oculi
3. Buccal
• Two in number
• Upper buccal branch runs above the parotid duct
• Lower buccal branch runs below the parotid duct
• Both supplies the muscles in the viscinity.
4. Mandibular
• Runs below the angle of the mandible.
• Crosses the body of the mandible and supplies muscles of the lower lip and
chin.
5. Cervical
• Emerges from the apex of the parotid gland and supplies platysma.
59

60. 60

61. D. Communicating branches
• Motor nerves of the three branchial arches communicate with each other.
• Facial nerve also communicates with adjacent cranial and spinal nerves.
GANGLIA ASSOCIATED WITH FACIAL NERVE
1) The geniculate ganglion
• Sensory ganglion
• Peripheral processes of unipolar neurons of the ganglion are the taste fibers
in the nerve.
2) The submandibular ganglion
• Parasympathetic ganglion.
• Station for secretomotor fibers to the submandibular and sublingual salivary
glands.
61

62. 3) Pterygopalatine ( Sphenopalatine ) ganglion
• Parasympathetic ganglion
• Serves as a relay station for secretomotor fibers to the lacrimal gland and to
the mucous glands to the nose , paranasal sinuses , palate and pharynx.
• APPLIED ANATOMY
• Facial nerve paralysis
• Paralysis of facial muscles on affected side
and loss of taste sensation.
62

63. VIII. VESTIBULOCOCHLEAR
• Fibers arise from the hearing and equilibrium apparatus of the inner ear, pass
through the internal acoustic meatus, and enter the brainstem at the pons-
medulla border.
63

64. • Two branches :
a) Vestibular nerve
• Concerned with equilibrium.
• Nuclei – the four vestibular nuclei : superior , Inferior , medial , lateral
• Cranial exit : Internal acoustic meatus
• Main action : vestibular sensation from semicircular ducts , utricle and saccule
related to position and movement of head.
b) Cochlear nerve
• Concerned with hearing.
• Nuclei : the dorsal and ventral cochlear nuclei
• Cranial exit : Internal acoustic meatus
• Main action : Hearing from spinal organ
• Applied anatomy : injury to nerve causes hearing defect.
64

65. IX. GLOSSOPHARYNGEAL
• Nerve of the third branchial arch.
• Fibers emerge from the medulla, leave the skull via the jugular foramen.
• Mixed nerve with motor and sensory functions.
• Motor – innervates part of the tongue and pharynx, and provides motor fibers
to the parotid salivary gland
• Sensory – fibers conduct taste and general sensory impulses from the tongue
and pharynx.
65

66. • BRANCHES –
1. Tympanic nerve
• Disributes branches to the middle ear , the auditary tube , the mastoid antrum and
air cells.
2. Carotid branch
• Supplies the carotid sinus and carotid body.
3. Pharyngeal branches
• Take part in the formation of the pharyngeal plexus.
• Fibers are distributed to the mucous membrane of the pharynx.
4. Muscular branch
• Supplies the stylopharyngeus
5. Tonsillar branches
• Supplies the tonsil
6. Lingual branches
rd
66

67. • Applied anatomy
• Clinical testing - on clicking the posterior wall of pharynx , there is reflex
contraction of throat muscles. It is absent in nerve paralysis.
• Also taste sensations are lost on posterior 1/3rd
of tongue.
67

68. X. VAGUS
• It is so called because of its extensive ( vague ) course through the head , neck ,
thorax and abdomen.
• Fibers emerge from the medulla via the jugular foramen.
• The vagus is a mixed nerve.
• Most motor fibers are parasympathetic fibers to the heart, lungs, and visceral
organs.
• Its sensory function is in taste.
• Nuclei : motor – nucleus ambiguus
dorsal vagal nucleus
• Sensory – solitary trigeminal nucleus
- spinal trigeminal nucleus
68

69. 69

70. • Branches in the head and neck
a) In the jugular foramen
1. Meningeal branch
• Supply to the concha and root of the auricle
posterior half of the external auditary meatus
the tympanic membrane
2. Auricular branch
• Sensation from auricle , external acoustic meatus
b) The branches arising in the neck
1. Pharyngeal branch
• Supplies muscles of the pharynx and palate ( except tensor palati )
2. Carotid branch
• Supplies the carotid body
70

71. 3. Superior laryngeal nerve
i) External ii)Internal laryngeal
Laryngeal nerve nerve
- supplies - supplies mucous membrane of larynx above the level
Cricothyroid muscle of vocal folds
4. Right recurrent laryngeal nerve
• Supplies :
• All intrinsic muscles of larynx , except cricothyroid
• Sensory nerves of larynx below the level of vocal cords
• Cardiac branches to the deep cardiac plexus
• the trachea and oesophagus
• To the inferior constrictor
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72. 5. Cardiac
• Divided as superior and inferior
• Out of four branches ( two on each side ) left inferior branch goes to the
superficial cardiac plexus.
• Other three nerves go to the deep cardiac plexus.
APPLIED ANATOMY
• Clinical testing – by comparing palatal arches of two sides.
• On paralysed side , no arching and uvula is pulled to normal side.
• Paralysis of nerve causes – nasal regurgitation of swallowed liquids.
- nasal twang in voice
- hoarseness of voice
• Irritation of auricular branch may cause persistent cough.
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73. XI. ACCESSSORY
• Two roots :
• cranial root - emerging from the medulla
• spinal root - arising from the superior region of the spinal cord.
• Cells of origin – accessory nucleus of spinal cord
• Cranial exit – jugular foramen
• Primarily a motor nerve.
• Supplies fibers to the larynx, pharynx, and soft palate
Innervates the trapezius and sternocleidomastoid, which move the head and neck
• APPLIED ANATOMY
• Clinical testing – by asking patient to turn the face to the opposite side against
resistant.
• Irritation of the nerve may produce torticollis.
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74. 74

75. XII. HYPOGLOSSAL
• Fibers arise from the medulla.
• Functional component – somatic motor
• Cells of origin – hypoglossal nucleus
• Cranial exit - hypoglossal canal
• Supply all the intrinsic and extrinsic muscles of the tongue
• APPLIED ANATOMY
• Clinical testing : by asking the patient to protrude his tongue ( deviation to
paralysed site )
• Lesion produces paralysis on affected side
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76. 76

77. CONCLUSION
• study of the nerve supply of orofacial region helps to get
knowledge of different structures which are directly or
indirectly related to oral cavity.
• Nerves specially trigeminal and facial , without a thorough
knowledge of it, its anatomy & physiology, diagnostic and
therapeutic procedures will be not be useful.
• Also detailed study of bony structures and relation to nerves
location is important for the local anaesthesia.
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78. REFERENCES
• B.D. Chaurasia’s Human Anatomy , Vol Three – Head , Neck
and Brain – Third ed
• Monheim’s Local Anesthesia And Pain Control In Dental
Practice , C. Richard Bennett , 7th
Ed
• Grant’s Atlas Of Anatomy , Anne M.R. , Arthur F. Dalley – 7th
ed.
• Handbook of Local Anesthesia , Stanley F. Malamed – 5th
ed
• Textbook of Oral Medicine , Anil Ghom
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