mandibular nerve (CN V-3)

Origin

• sensory fibers from the trigeminal ganglion
• motor root of the trigeminal nerve
• formed in the foramen ovale

Afferents

• sensory fibers distributed to
  • auricle
  • external acoustic meatus
  • tympanic membrane
  • temporal region
  • cheek
  • skin overlying the mandible (EXCEPT the angle)
  • anterior 2/3 of the tongue
  • floor of the mouth
  • lower teeth & gingiva

Efferents

• motor fibers
  • all of the muscles of mastication
  • mylohyoid
  • anterior belly of the digastric
  • tensor veli palatini
  • tensor tympani

Course

• passes inferiorly from the middle cranial fossa through the foramen ovale into the infratemporal fossa

Branches

• meningeal nerve
• masseteric nerve
• deep temporal nerve
• pterygoid nerve (medial & lateral branches)
• buccal nerve
• auriculotemporal nerve
• lingual nerve
• inferior alveolar nerve
  • inferior dental nerves
  • mental nerve
  • incisive nerve
  • nerve to mylohyoid

More general terms

• peripheral nerve

Additional terms

• auriculotemporal nerve
• buccal nerve (buccinator nerve)
• deep temporal nerve
• inferior alveolar (dental) nerve
• lingual nerve
• mandibular branch of facial nerve (CN VII)
• masseteric nerve
• masticatory muscle
• meningeal nerve (branch)
• pterygoid nerve

Components

• inferior alveolar (dental) nerve