Inferior alveolar nerve

The inferior alveolar nerve (sometimes called the inferior dental nerve) is a branch of the mandibular nerve, which is itself the third branch of the trigeminal nerve. The inferior alveolar nerves supply sensation to the lower teeth.Mandible of human embryo 95 mm long. Inner aspect. Nuclei of cartilage stippled.Mandibular division of trifacial nerve, seen from the middle line.Inferior alveolar nerveMandibular nerve and bone. Deep dissection. Anterior view.Infratemporal fossa. Lingual and inferior alveolar nerve. Deep dissection. Anterolateral view The inferior alveolar nerve (sometimes called the inferior dental nerve) is a branch of the mandibular nerve, which is itself the third branch of the trigeminal nerve. The inferior alveolar nerves supply sensation to the lower teeth. The inferior alveolar nerve is a branch of the mandibular nerve. After branching from the mandibular nerve, the inferior alveolar nerve travels behind the lateral pterygoid muscle. It gives off a branch, the mylohyoid nerve, and then enters the mandibular foramen.:543 While in the mandibular canal within the mandible, it supplies the lower teeth (molars and second premolar) with sensory branches that form into the inferior dental plexus and give off small gingival and dental nerves to the teeth. Anteriorly, the nerve gives off the mental nerve at about the level of the mandibular 2nd premolars, which exits the mandible via the mental foramen and supplies sensory branches to the chin and lower lip. The inferior alveolar nerve continues anteriorly as the mandibular incisive nerve to innervate the mandibular canines and incisors. Rarely, a bifid inferior alveolar nerve may be present, in which case a second mandibular foramen, more inferiorly placed, exists and can be detected by noting a doubled mandibular canal on a radiograph. The inferior alveolar nerves supply sensation to the lower teeth,:519 and, via the mental nerve, sensation to the chin and lower lip. The mylohyoid nerve is a motor nerve supplying the mylohyoid and the anterior belly of the digastric.