mandibular nerve
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Related to mandibular nerve: maxillary nerve, mandibular nerve block
mandibular nerve
Abbreviation: CN V31. The inferior trunk of the trigeminal cranial nerve. The mandibular nerve is both sensory and motor.
Sensory
The major sensory branches are the auriculotemporal, lingual, and inferior alveolar nerves, which innervate the lower teeth and gingivae and the skin of the lower lip, chin, and jaw up into the "sideburn area" in front of the ear.
Motor
The major motor branches are the lateral pterygoid, masseteric, deep temporal, and buccal nerves, which innervate the muscles of mastication (lateral and medial pterygoids, masseter, and temporalis).
Course
The mandibular nerve leaves the skull via the foramen ovale.
2. A motor branch of the facial nerve (CN VII) that innervates the facial muscles of the lower lip and chin.
See also: nerve
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