From the Research
The anterior division of the mandibular nerve primarily supplies motor innervation to the muscles of mastication and sensory innervation to the anterior structures of the lower jaw, with its main branches including the masseteric nerve, deep temporal nerves, lateral pterygoid nerve, and the buccal nerve 1.
Key Branches and Functions
- The masseteric nerve innervates the masseter muscle, which is responsible for elevating the mandible to close the jaw.
- The deep temporal nerves supply the temporalis muscle, which also plays a role in jaw closure.
- The lateral pterygoid nerve innervates the lateral pterygoid muscle, involved in opening the jaw and protruding the mandible.
- The buccal nerve provides sensory innervation to the buccal mucosa and skin over the cheek.
Clinical Significance
The anterior division of the mandibular nerve is clinically significant in:
- Dental procedures, where understanding its course and distribution is crucial for performing regional nerve blocks.
- Facial pain syndromes, such as trigeminal neuralgia, where the nerve may be involved in pain transmission 2, 3.
- Surgical approaches to the infratemporal fossa, where damage to this division can result in weakness of jaw closure, difficulty chewing, and sensory deficits in the cheek area.
Diagnostic and Therapeutic Implications
Understanding the course and distribution of the anterior division is essential for diagnosing various orofacial pain conditions and performing effective treatments, including nerve blocks and pharmacological interventions like carbamazepine for trigeminal neuralgia 4.