Inferior alveolar nerve
1475391
206010700
2008-04-16T13:11:45Z
VolkovBot
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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]]