Nerve
Mandibular nerve (V3)
Trigeminal sensation together with first-arch motor supply
High-yield
The main trunk supplies medial pterygoid and the two tensor muscles. Anterior-division branches supply the other major masticatory muscles; the mylohyoid branch leaves the inferior alveolar pathway of the posterior division.
Overview
V3 combines sensory fibers from the trigeminal ganglion with the trigeminal motor root at the skull base. After passing through foramen ovale, its trunk gives meningeal and muscular branches, then separates into anterior and posterior divisions. The anterior division is mostly motor but includes the sensory buccal nerve. The posterior division is mostly sensory but also carries the fibers that become the mylohyoid nerve.
Learning this group? Read How to memorize the cranial nerves.
Reference facts
- Origin
- Sensory division of the trigeminal ganglion plus motor-root fibers from the pontine trigeminal motor nucleus
- Course
- Passes through foramen ovale into the infratemporal fossa; meningeal fibers return toward the skull through foramen spinosum, and the trunk divides into anterior and posterior groups
- Motor
- Masseter, temporalis, medial and lateral pterygoids, mylohyoid, anterior digastric, tensor tympani and tensor veli palatini
- Sensory
- Lower teeth and associated oral regions, general sensation from the anterior tongue, lower lip/chin and parts of the temple, ear, external tympanic surface and TMJ. The angle-of-mandible skin is mainly cervical-plexus territory
Mnemonic
Beyond the four chewing muscles, remember the two floor-of-mouth muscles and two tensors: mylohyoid, anterior digastric, tensor tympani and tensor veli palatini.
Clinical correlation
Motor injury can weaken chewing and eventually reduce masseter or temporalis bulk. During opening, the jaw may deviate toward the weak side because protrusive forces are unbalanced. Associated sensory loss follows the affected V3 branches rather than every lower-face region equally.
Frequently asked questions
Where does the mandibular nerve (V3) arise?
Sensory division of the trigeminal ganglion plus motor-root fibers from the pontine trigeminal motor nucleus.
What muscles does the mandibular nerve (V3) supply?
Masseter, temporalis, medial and lateral pterygoids, mylohyoid, anterior digastric, tensor tympani and tensor veli palatini.
What is the sensory distribution of the mandibular nerve (V3)?
Lower teeth and associated oral regions, general sensation from the anterior tongue, lower lip/chin and parts of the temple, ear, external tympanic surface and TMJ. The angle-of-mandible skin is mainly cervical-plexus territory.
What is the course of the mandibular nerve (V3)?
Passes through foramen ovale into the infratemporal fossa; meningeal fibers return toward the skull through foramen spinosum, and the trunk divides into anterior and posterior groups.