Maxillary nerve
3200128
213120835
2008-05-17T21:45:47Z
Arcadian
104523
Reverted edits by [[Special:Contributions/Glucose6phosphate|Glucose6phosphate]] ([[User talk:Glucose6phosphate|talk]]) to last version by -Midorihana-
{{Infobox Nerve |
Name = Maxillary nerve |
Latin = n. maxillaris |
GraySubject = 200 |
GrayPage = 889 |
Image = Gray779.png |
Caption = [[Alveolar]] branches of superior maxillary nerve and [[pterygopalatine ganglion]]. |
Innervates = |
BranchFrom = |
BranchTo = |
MeshName = Maxillary+Nerve |
MeshNumber = A08.800.800.120.760.550 |
}}
The '''maxillary nerve''' (superior maxillary nerve) is a [[sensory nerve|sensory]] [[cranial nerves|cranial nerve]] which comprises the principal functions of sensation from the [[maxillary]], [[nasal cavity]], [[sinus|sinuses]], the [[palate]] and subsequently that of the mid-face, <ref>Monkhouse, Stanley (2006)., page 5, Table 1.1 - "Synopsis of cranial nerves"</ref> and is intermediate, both in position and size, between the [[ophthalmic nerve]] and the [[mandibular nerve]]. It's function is the transmission of sensory fibres from the maxillary teeth, the skin between the [[palpebral fissure]] and the [[mouth]], and from the nasal cavity and sinuses.<ref>Monkhouse, Stanley (2006)., page 56, Section 9.1 - Functions</ref>
==Path==
[[Image:Maxillary example system.svg|thumb|600px|right|An illustration of the path of the Maxillary nerve.]]
Anterior to the [[trigeminal ganglion]], the maxillary nerve passes through the [[cavernous sinus]] and exits the [[skull]] through the [[foramen rotundum]].
It begins at the middle of the [[trigeminal ganglion]] as a flattened plexiform band, and, passing horizontally forward, it leaves the skull through the [[foramen rotundum]], where it becomes more cylindrical in form, and firmer in texture.
It then crosses the [[pterygopalatine fossa]], inclines lateralward on the back of the [[maxilla]], and enters the orbit through the [[inferior orbital fissure]]; it traverses the infraorbital groove and canal in the floor of the orbit, and appears upon the face at the [[infraorbital foramen]].
At its termination, the nerve lies beneath the [[quadratus labii superioris]], and divides into a leash of branches which spread out upon the side of the [[nose]], the lower [[eyelid]], and the upper [[lip]], joining with filaments of the [[facial nerve]].
==Branches==
Its branches may be divided into four groups, according as they are given off in the cranium, in the pterygopalatine fossa, in the infraorbital canal, or on the face.
===In the cranium===
* [[Middle meningeal nerve]]
===In the pterygopalatine fossa===
* [[Zygomatic nerve]] ([[zygomaticotemporal nerve]], [[zygomaticofacial nerve]])
* Two small branches to the [[pterygopalatine ganglion]] (sometimes called the sphenopalatine ganglion)
* [[Posterior superior alveolar nerve]]
===In the infraorbital canal===
* [[Anterior superior alveolar nerve]]
* [[Middle superior alveolar nerve]]
===On the face===
* [[Inferior palpebral nerve]]
* [[Superior labial nerve]]
==Additional images==
<gallery>
Image:Gray571.png|Oblique section through the cavernous sinus.
Image:Gray784.png|Dermatome distribution of the trigeminal nerve
Image:Gray778.png|Distribution of the maxillary and mandibular nerves, and the submaxillary ganglion.
Image:Gray838.png|The right sympathetic chain and its connections with the thoracic, abdominal, and pelvic plexuses.
</gallery>
== References ==
# {{cite book
| last = Monkhouse
| first = Stanley
| authorlink = Stanley Monkhouse
| title = Cranial nerves - functional anatomy
| publisher = [[Cambridge University Press|Cambridge]]
| year = 2006
| isbn = 0-521-61537-2}}
=== Notes ===
{{reflist|2}}
==External links==
* {{LoyolaMedEd|GrossAnatomy/h_n/cn/cn1/cnb2.htm}}
* {{NormanAnatomy|cranialnerves}} ({{NormanAnatomyFig|VII}})
{{Gray's}}
{{Cranial nerves}}
{{Trigeminal nerve}}
[[Category:Cranial nerves]]
[[ar:عصب فكي علوي]]
[[de:Nervus maxillaris]]
[[nl:Nervus maxillaris]]
[[no:Nervus maxillaris]]