Inferior alveolar nerve 1475391 206010700 2008-04-16T13:11:45Z VolkovBot 3035831 robot Adding: [[sr:Доњи зубни живац]] {{Infobox Nerve | Name = {{PAGENAME}} | Latin = nervus alveolaris inferior | GraySubject = 200 | GrayPage = 896 | Image = Gray778.png | Caption = Distribution of the [[maxillary nerve|maxillary]] and [[mandibular nerve]]s, and the [[submaxillary ganglion]]. (Inferior alveolar visible at center left.) | Image2 = Gray781.png | Caption2 = Mandibular division of the trifacial nerve. (Inferior alveolar labeled at bottom right.) | Innervates = [[dental alveolus]] | BranchFrom = [[mandibular nerve]] | BranchTo = [[Mylohyoid nerve|mylohyoid]], dental, [[incisive]], and [[mental nerve|mental]] | MeshName = | MeshNumber = | DorlandsPre = n_05 | DorlandsSuf = 12565154 | }} The '''inferior alveolar nerve''' (sometimes called the '''inferior dental nerve''') is a branch of the [[mandibular nerve]], which is itself the third branch (V3) of the fifth [[cranial nerve]], the [[trigeminal nerve]] (cranial nerve V). ==Path== Before traversing the [[mandibular foramen]], it first gives off the [[mylohyoid nerve|nerve to the mylohyoid]], a motor nerve supplying the [[mylohyoid]] and the anterior belly of the [[digastric]]. It then enters the mandible via the mandibular foramen. While in the [[mandibular canal]] within the mandible, it supplies the mandibular (lower) teeth with [[Sensory system|sensory branches]] that form into the [[inferior dental plexus]] and give off small gingival and dental nerves to the teeth. [[Anterior]]ly, the nerve gives off the mental nerve at about the level of the mandibular 2nd premolars, which exits the mandible via the [[mental foramen]] (supplying sensory branches to the [[chin]] and lower [[lip]]). The inferior alveolar nerve continues to innervate the mandibular [[Canine tooth|canines]] and [[incisors]]. ==Anesthesia== The inferior alveolar nerve is a common target for [[anesthesia]] during [[Dentistry|dental procedures]] involving the mandibular teeth. Administration of anesthesia near the mandibular foramen causes blockage of the inferior alveolar nerve and the nearby lingual nerve (supplying the [[tongue]]). This is why the numbing of the lower jaw during dental procedures causes the patient to lose sensation in: * their [[teeth]] (inferior alveolar nerve block) * their [[lower lip]] and chin ([[mental nerve]] block) * and their tongue ([[lingual nerve]] block). ==Additional images== <gallery> Image:Gray181.png|Mandible of human embryo 95 mm. long. Inner aspect. Nuclei of cartilage stippled. Image:Gray782 updated.png|Mandibular division of trifacial nerve, seen from the middle line. </gallery> ==External links== * {{SUNYAnatomyFigs|27|03|06}} * {{LoyolaMedEd|GrossAnatomy/h_n/cn/cn1/cnb3.htm}} * {{NormanAnatomy|lesson4}} ({{NormanAnatomyFig|mandibularnerve}}) * {{NormanAnatomy|cranialnerves}} ({{NormanAnatomyFig|V}}) {{Trigeminal nerve}} {{neuroscience-stub}} {{dentistry-stub}} [[Category:Sensory system]] [[Category:Mouth]] [[pt:Nervo alveolar inferior]] [[sr:Доњи зубни живац]]