Lingual Nerve

Course

The lingual nerve arises from the posterior division of the mandibular nerve high in the infratemporal fossa.

It descends posterior to the lateral pterygoid muscle and anterior to the inferior alveolar nerve. At the lower border of the lateral pterygoid, the nerve is joined by the chorda tympani (a branch of the facial nerve).

It then passes between the medial pterygoid and the ramus of the mandible to enter the oral cavity just inferior to the third molar tooth – where it is particularly vulnerable to injury.

From here, it runs between the mylohyoid and hyoglossus muscles. The lingual nerve then passes lateral to the submandibular duct, loops underneath it, and ascends on its medial side to reach the tongue.

The lingual nerve terminates by dividing into multiple branches that supply the anterior two-thirds of the tongue with general sensation and taste (via the chorda tympani).

By TeachMeSeries Ltd (2025)

Fig 1
The course of the lingual nerve and its relations.

Sensory Supply

The sensory supply of the anterior tongue and floor of the mouth is divided into contributions from the lingual nerve itself and from fibres of the chorda tympani that travel within it.

Lingual Nerve

The lingual nerve carries general sensory fibres to:

• The anterior two-thirds of the tongue
• The mucosa of the floor of the mouth
• The gingivae associated with the mandibular teeth

Chorda Tympani

Via the chorda tympani, the lingual nerve also carries:

• Special sensory fibres for taste to the anterior two-thirds of the tongue
• Parasympathetic fibres to the submandibular and sublingual glands

Adobe Stock, Licensed to TeachMeSeries Ltd

Fig 2
General sensation and taste innervation to the tongue