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The Mandibular Division of the Trigeminal Nerve (CNV3)

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Original Author(s): Sam Little
Last updated: August 13, 2023
Revisions: 66

Original Author(s): Sam Little
Last updated: August 13, 2023
Revisions: 66

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The mandibular nerve is a terminal branch of the trigeminal nerve (along with the maxillary and ophthalmic nerves).

It has a sensory role in the head, and is associated with parasympathetic fibres of other cranial nerves. However unlike the other branches of the trigeminal nerve, the mandibular nerve also has a motor function.

In this article, we shall look at the anatomy of the mandibular nerve – its anatomical course, branches, sensory, motor and autonomic functions.

Anatomical Course

The mandibular nerve contains both sensory and motor axons, arising from three sensory nuclei (mesencephalic, principal sensory and spinal nuclei of trigeminal nerve) and one motor nucleus (motor nucleus of the trigeminal nerve) respectively.

The motor root runs along the floor or the trigeminal cave, beneath the ganglion, joining the sensory root before leaving the cranium through the foramen ovale.

Once the mandibular branch has emerged from the cranium, it courses through the infratemporal fossa, branching into four tributaries which are described below.

Fig 1 – Overview of the distribution of the trigeminal nerve and its terminal branches

Auriculotemporal Nerve

The auriculotemporal branch arises from the trigeminal nerve as two roots:

  • Superior root – comprises sensory fibres.
  • Inferior root – carries secretory-motor parasympathetic fibres, originating from CN IX, to the parotid gland.

The two roots converge in close proximity to the middle meningeal artery. After converging, the secretory-motor fibres run to synapse in the otic ganglion, while the sensory fibres pass through the ganglion without synapsing to eventually innervate:

  • Anterior part of the auricle
  • Lateral part of the temple
  • Anterior external meatus
  • Anterior tympanic membrane

Buccal Nerve

The buccal branch of the mandibular nerve contains sensory fibres. As it emerges from the mandibular nerve, it passes between the two heads of the lateral pterygoid muscle before heading to its target sites.

The nerve provides general sensory innervation to the buccal membranes of the mouth (i.e. the cheek). It also branches to supply the second and third molar teeth, which is important when performing dental work on those structures.

Inferior Alveolar Nerve

The inferior alveolar nerve carries both sensory and motor axons to and from the respective trigeminal nuclei.

After branching from its parent nerve it gives rise to the mylohyoid nerve, a motor nerve to the mylohyoid and anterior digastric muscles.

The remaining sensory axons enter the mandibular canal, a narrow tunnel running through the mandible. Within this canal, the nerve provides branches to the mandibular teeth.

The nerve emerges through the mental foramen as the mental nerve. This provides sensory innervation to the lower lip and chin.

Fig 2 – Anatomical course of the inferior alveolar and lingual nerves. Note the close proximity of the two nerves. The portion of the inferior alveolar nerve that runs through the mandibular canal has been removed.

Lingual Nerve

This branch of the trigeminal nerve carries general sensory axons. It also acts as a conduit for special sensory and autonomic fibres belonging to the chorda tympani, a branch of the facial nerve (CN VII).

General sensory fibres innervate the anterior two-thirds of the tongue, as well as the mucus membrane lining its undersides.

The special sensory fibres carry on with the lingual nerve to provide taste to the anterior two-thirds of the tongue.

The autonomic fibres branch to synapse in the submandibular ganglion, eventually innervating the submandibular and sublingual glands.

Fig 4 - The submandibular ganglion.

Fig 3 – The submandibular ganglion.

Sensory Functions

The sensory fibres associated with the mandibular branch of CN V provide innervation to:

  • The facial skin in the lower third of the face, including the chin and lower lip
  • Inferior row of teeth and gingiva
  • The anterior two thirds of the tongue

These functions are distributed between the four branches of the nerve, as described above.

Fig 4 - Cutaneous innervation to the head and neck.

Fig 4 – Cutaneous innervation to the head and neck.

Note that special sensation to the anterior two thirds of the tongue is provided by the facial nerve.

Motor Functions

The mandibular nerve is the only branch of CN V to conduct motor axons to the muscles of the head and neck.

The motor root of the trigeminal nerve joins the sensory component distal to the trigeminal ganglion and distributes its axons to the muscles of mastication:

  • Masseter
  • Medial and lateral pterygoids
  • Temporalis

In addition to enabling mastication, the mandibular nerve also innervates muscles involved in several other processes:

  • Tensor tympani: Dampens sounds, such as those created by chewing, by stabilizing the malleus bone in the middle ear
  • Tensor veli palatini: helps elevate the soft palate to prevent regurgitation of food and liquid into the nasopharynx.
  • Anterior belly of digastric: a suprahyoid muscle involved in elevation of the hyoid bone during swallowing
  • Mylohyoid: a suprahyoid muscle involved in elevation of the hyoid bone during swallowing

Autonomic Functions

The trigeminal nerve does not have an autonomic nucleus and, as such, does not give rise to any autonomic axons directly. However, all three branches of CN V take on autonomic fibres of other cranial nerves to provide a passage to their respective targets.

The mandibular nerve is associated with parasympathetic secretory-motor fibres from two other cranial nerves.

Facial Nerve

The chorda tympani nerve branches from the facial nerve in the region of the middle ear. It carries pre-synaptic parasympathetic fibres which join the lingual branch of the mandibular nerve, before branching to synapse in the submandibular ganglion. These fibres go on and innervate the submandibular and sublingual salivary glands.

Glossopharyngeal Nerve

Autonomic innervation of the parotid gland originates from CN IX, however the auriculotemporal nerve transmits the post-synaptic axons from the otic ganglion to the gland. They pass through the inferior of the two founding roots of the branch.

Clinical Relevance – Mandibular Nerve Blocks

The use of local anesthetic in the region of the mandibular nerve, and its tributaries, is a common procedure used in dental surgery. The principle behind the block is to remove general sensation from the ipsilateral mandibular row of teeth. In doing so however, anesthesia can also spread over the buccal membranes, chin and jaw.

The technique involves injecting the blocking agent into the region of the mandibular nerve from inside the mouth, guided by the second molar tooth.

A more specific option involves an inferior alveolar nerve block. This allows anesthesia of the inferior row of teeth while sparing the sensory distribution of the rest of the nerve. Here, the blocking agent is injected from inside mouth further along the mandibular nerve.

The more specific option is often used, however where it does not provide adequate anesthesia, for instance due to an accessory nerve, a mandibular nerve block is used.