View source for Mandibular nerve

{{Short description|Branch of the trigeminal nerve responsible for the lower face and jaw}}
{{Infobox nerve
| Name        = Mandibular nerve
| Latin       = nervus mandibularis
| Image       = Gray781.png
| Caption     = [[Mandibular division]] of the [[trigeminal nerve]].
| Image2      = Gray782_updated.png
| Caption2    = [[Mandibular division]] of [[trigeminal nerve]], seen from the middle line. The small figure is an enlarged view of the [[otic ganglion]].
| Innervates  =
| BranchFrom  = [[Trigeminal nerve]] (CN V)
| BranchTo    =
}}

In [[neuroanatomy]], the '''mandibular nerve''' ('''V{{sub|3}}''') is the largest of the three divisions of the [[trigeminal nerve]], the fifth [[Cranial nerves|cranial nerve]] (CN V). Unlike the other divisions of the trigeminal nerve ([[ophthalmic nerve]], [[maxillary nerve]]) which contain only [[Afferent nerve fiber|afferent fibers]], the mandibular nerve contains both afferent and [[Efferent nerve fiber|efferent fibers]]. These nerve fibers innervate structures of the [[lower jaw]] and face, such as the [[tongue]], [[lower lip]], and [[chin]]. The mandibular nerve also innervates the [[muscles of mastication]].<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Rodella|first1=L.F.|last2=Buffoli|first2=B.|last3=Labanca|first3=M.|last4=Rezzani|first4=R.|date=April 2012|title=A review of the mandibular and maxillary nerve supplies and their clinical relevance|url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.archoralbio.2011.09.007|journal=Archives of Oral Biology|volume=57|issue=4|pages=323–334|doi=10.1016/j.archoralbio.2011.09.007|pmid=21996489 |issn=0003-9969|url-access=subscription}}</ref>

==Structure==

=== Course ===
The large sensory root of mandibular nerve emerges from the lateral part of the [[trigeminal ganglion]] and exits the [[cranial cavity]] through the [[Foramen ovale (skull)|foramen ovale]]. The motor root (Latin: ''radix motoria'' s. ''portio minor''), the small motor root of the [[trigeminal nerve]], passes under the trigeminal ganglion and through the [[Foramen ovale (skull)|foramen ovale]] to unite with the sensory root just outside the [[skull]].<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Burchiel |first1=K J |title=A New Classification for Facial Pain |journal=Neurosurgery |date=November 1, 2003 |volume=53 |issue=5 |pages=1164–1167 |doi=10.1227/01.NEU.0000088806.11659.D8 |pmid=14580284 |s2cid=33538452 |url=https://academic.oup.com/neurosurgery/article-abstract/53/5/1164/2740040|url-access=subscription }}</ref>{{Better source needed|reason=The current source is insufficiently reliable ([[WP:NOTRS]]).|date=August 2023}}

The mandibular nerve immediately passes between [[tensor veli palatini]], which is medial, and [[lateral pterygoid muscle|lateral pterygoid]], which is lateral, and gives off a [[Meningeal branch of the mandibular nerve|meningeal branch]] (nervus spinosus) and the [[nerve to medial pterygoid]] from its medial side. The nerve then divides into a small anterior division and a large posterior division.

===Branches===
The mandibular nerve gives off the following branches:
* From the '''main trunk''' (before the division):
** [[Meningeal branch of the mandibular nerve|meningeal branch (nervus spinosus)]] (sensory)
** [[medial pterygoid nerve]] (motor)
* From the '''anterior division''':
** [[masseteric nerve]] (mixed)
** [[deep temporal nerves]] (mixed)
** [[buccal nerve]] (sensory)
** [[lateral pterygoid nerve]] (motor)
* From the '''posterior division''':
** [[auriculotemporal nerve]] (sensory)
** [[lingual nerve]] (sensory)
** [[inferior alveolar nerve]] (mixed) 
***[[mylohyoid nerve]] (motor)
***[[Inferior alveolar nerve#Incisive branch|incisive branch]] (sensory)
***[[mental nerve]] (sensory)

=== Distribution ===
{{Confusing|section|date=August 2023}}
'''Anterior Division'''

(Motor Innervation - [[Muscles of mastication]])
* [[Masseteric nerve]]
** [[Masseter|Masseter muscle]]
* [[Medial pterygoid nerve]]
** [[Medial pterygoid muscle]]
** [[Tensor Tympani|Tensor tympani muscle]]
** [[Tensor Veli Palatini|Tensor veli palatini]] (via [[Nerve to tensor veli palatini|tensor veli palatini]] branch)
* [[Lateral pterygoid nerve]]
** [[Lateral pterygoid muscle]]
* [[Deep temporal nerve]]
** [[Temporalis|Temporalis muscle]]

(Sensory Innervation)
* [[Buccal nerve]]
** Inside of the cheek ([[buccal mucosa]])
* Nervous spinosus (sensory)
<br>'''Posterior Division'''

Lingual Split<br>
(general sensory innervation (''not'' special sensory for taste))
* Anterior 2/3 of [[Tongue]] ([[mucous membrane]])

Inferior Alveolar Split<br>
(Motor Innervation)
* [[Mylohyoid nerve|Mylohyoid]]
* [[Digastric]] (Anterior Belly)

(Sensory Innervation)
* [[Teeth]] and [[Mucoperiosteum]] of mandibular teeth
* [[Chin]] and [[lip|Lower Lip]]

Auriculotemporal Split
* [[Scalp]] ([[pinna (anatomy)|auricula / temporal region]])

==See also==
* [[Ophthalmic nerve]]
* [[Maxillary nerve]]
* [[Marginal mandibular branch of facial nerve]]
* [[Alveolar nerve]] ([[Dental nerve]])

==Additional images==
<gallery>
 File:Gray784.png|Dermatome distribution of the trigeminal nerve
 File:Gray790.png|The nerves of the scalp, face, and side of neck.
 File:Slide8nnn.JPG|Mandibular nerve
 File:Mandibular nerve 3.jpg|Mandibular nerve
</gallery>

==References==
<references />

==External links==
* {{LoyolaMedEd|GrossAnatomy/h_n/cn/cn1/cnb3.htm}}
* {{SUNYAnatomyFigs|27|03|02}}
* {{NormanAnatomy|cranialnerves}} ({{NormanAnatomyFig|V}})

{{Cranial nerves}}
{{Trigeminal nerve}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Mandibular nerve| ]]
[[Category:Trigeminal nerve]]
[[Category:Cranial nerves]]
[[Category:Otorhinolaryngology]]
[[Category:Nervous system]]
[[Category:Nerves of the head and neck]]
[[Category:Neurology]]