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]]