Mandibular nerve

Question 1

The mandibular nerve[Vc] is the…

Answer 1

third and largest branch of the trigeminal nerve[CN V]

Question 2

Describe the mandibular nerve[Vc]

Answer 2

The mandibular nerve[Vc] is a mixed nerve containing both sensory and motor fibres

Question 3

Which structures does the mandibular nerve[Vc] supply?

Answer 3

The mandibular nerve[Vc] supplies all structures derived from the mandibular or first branchial arch

Question 4

Where does the mandibular nerve begin?

Answer 4

The mandibular nerve begins in the middle cranial fossa through a large
sensory root & a small motor root

Question 5

Where does the sensory root arise?

Answer 5

The Sensory root arises from the lateral part
of the trigeminal ganglion & leaves the
cranial cavity via foramen ovale

Question 6

Where does the motor root lie?

Answer 6

The Motor root lies deep to the trigeminal 
ganglion & sensory root; it also passes 
through foramen ovale to join the 
sensory root thus forming the main 
trunk

Question 7

Where does the main trunk lie?

Answer 7

The main trunk lies in the infratemporal
fossa and divides into a small anterior
trunk & a large posterior trunk

Question 8

Main trunk branches :

Answer 8

Meningeal branch and nerve to the medial pterygoid

Question 9

Where does the meningeal branch enter the skull?

Answer 9

The meningeal branch enters the skull through the foramen spinosum with the middle meningeal artery

Question 10

Which structures does the meningeal branch supply?

Answer 10

The meningeal branch supplies the dura mater in the middle cranial fossa

Question 11

Where does the nerve to the medial pterygoid arise?

Answer 11

The nerve to the medial pterygoid arises close to the optic ganglion

Question 12

Which structures does the nerve to the medial pterygoid supply?

Answer 12

The nerve to the medial pterygoid supplies the medial pterygoid (deep
surface), tensor veli palatini &
tensor tympani muscles

Question 13

Anterior trunk branches :

Answer 13

• Buccal nerve
• Masseteric nerve
• Deep temporal nerves
• Nerve to lateral pterygoid

Question 14

The buccal nerve is the only…

Answer 14

sensory branch of anterior division of Vc

Question 15

Where does the buccal nerve pass?

Answer 15

The buccal nerve passes between the two heads of lateral pterygoid
muscle

Question 16

Which structures does the buccal nerve supply?

Answer 16

The buccal nerve supplies the skin & mucous membrane
related to the buccinator muscle & the
labial aspect of the gums of the molar
+ premolar teeth

Question 17

The masseteric nerve is the…

Answer 17

upper border of the lateral pterygoid

muscle just in front of the temporomandibular joint

Question 18

Where does the masseteric nerve pass?

Answer 18

The masseteric nerve passes laterally through the mandibular notch to the deep surface of the masseter muscle

Question 19

Which structures does the masseteric nerve supply?

Answer 19

The masseteric nerve supplies the masseter muscle and the temporomandibular joint

Question 20

Name the 2 deep temporal nerves.

Answer 20

Anterior and posterior deep temporal nerves

Question 21

Where do the deep temporal nerves pass?

Answer 21

The deep temporal nerves pass between the skull & lateral pterygoid muscle
and enters the deep surface of the
temporalis muscle

Question 22

Where does the nerve to the lateral pterygoid?

Answer 22

The nerve to lateral pterygoid enters the deep surface of the muscle

Question 23

Posterior trunk branches :

Answer 23

• Auriculotemporal nerve
• Lingual nerve
• Inferior alveolar nerve

Question 24

Where does the auriculotemporal nerve emerge?

Answer 24

The auriculotemporal nerve emerges onto the face behind the temporomandibular joint within the
superior surface of the parotid gland

Question 25

Where does the auriculotemporal nerve ascend?

Answer 25

The auriculotemporal nerve ascends posterior to the superficial temporal
vessels, passing over the posterior root of zygoma &
divides into superficial branches

Question 26

Which structures does the auricular part supply?

Answer 26

Auricular part supplies the skin over tragus,

upper part of pinna, external auditory meatus & tympanic membrane

Question 27

Which structures does the temporal part supply?

Answer 27

Temporal part supplies the skin over temple

Question 28

Which structures does the auriculotemporal nerve supply?

Answer 28

Auriculotemporal nerve supplies the parotid

gland (secretomotor) & temporomandibular joint

Question 29

The inferior alveolar nerve is the…

Answer 29

Largest terminal branch of the posterior division of Vc

Question 30

Where does the inferior alveolar nerve run?

Answer 30

The inferior alveolar nerve runs lateral to the medial pterygoid muscle & sphenomandibular ligament

Question 31

Where does the inferior alveolar nerve enter?

Answer 31

The inferior alveolar nerve enters the mandibular foramen & runs in the mandibular canal

Question 32

Name the branches of the inferior alveolar nerve.

Answer 32

*Mylohyoid branch
*Inferior dental branches
*Mental nerve
Incisive branch

Question 33

State which structures each of the branches of the inferior alveolar nerve supply.

Answer 33

*Mylohyoid branch (motor) supplies the mylohyoid &
anterior belly of digastric muscles
* Inferior dental branches supply the lower teeth & gums
* Mental nerve supplies the skin of the chin & the
skin + mucous membrane of the lower lip
* Incisive branch supplies the labial aspect of the gums
of canines & incisor teeth

Question 34

Inferior alveolar nerve block :

Answer 34

The most frequently encountered nerve block

performed in dentistry to perform dental procedures on the mandibular teeth.

Question 35

Briefly describe the inferior alveolar nerve block procedure.

Answer 35

The anaesthetic agent is injected marginally above the entrance of inferior alveolar
nerve into the mandibular foramen being overhung by the lingula. While performing
inferior alveolar nerve block, if needle is inserted too far posteriorly, it might go into
the parotid gland and damage the facial nerve resulting in transient facial palsy

Question 36

Explain when the lingual nerve is at great risk.

Answer 36

The lingual nerve is at great risk during surgical removal of the impacted third molar
teeth. The nerve is also at risk during surgical removal of the submandibular salivary
gland, during which the submandibular duct must be dissected out thoroughly from
the nerve