Trigeminal (V2, V3) & Facial (VII) Nerves

V2 (maxillary): exits the foramen rotundum to the pterygopalatine fossa

Branch	Supplies
Posterior superior alveolar (PSA)	Maxillary molars (the MB root of the first molar may get MSA fibers), their buccal gingiva and the maxillary sinus
Middle superior alveolar (MSA; absent in many people)	Premolars, often the MB root of the first molar, buccal gingiva
Anterior superior alveolar (ASA)	Incisors and canine, their facial gingiva
Infraorbital (terminal)	Lower eyelid, side of the nose, upper lip
Greater palatine	Palatal mucosa and gingiva from about the canine back to the third molar
Nasopalatine	Palatal gingiva and mucosa of the anterior palate (canine to canine), through the incisive foramen

Branch	Supplies
Inferior alveolar	Mandibular teeth; gives the nerve to mylohyoid (mylohyoid and anterior digastric) before entering the mandibular foramen; ends as mental (lip, chin, facial gingiva of anteriors and premolars) and incisive (anterior teeth)
Lingual	General sensation to the anterior two-thirds of the tongue, floor of mouth and lingual gingiva; carries chorda tympani fibers (taste, and parasympathetic to submandibular and sublingual glands)
Buccal (long buccal)	Buccal mucosa and buccal gingiva of the mandibular molars (sensory only, not the buccinator)
Auriculotemporal	TMJ, skin in front of the ear and temple; carries parasympathetic fibers from IX to the parotid
Motor branches	Muscles of mastication, tensor tympani, tensor veli palatini

Exits the stylomastoid foramen and runs through the parotid gland (it does not supply the parotid).
Five terminal motor branches to facial expression muscles: temporal, zygomatic, buccal, marginal mandibular, cervical.
Chorda tympani: taste to the anterior two-thirds of the tongue and parasympathetic secretomotor fibers to the submandibular and sublingual glands (via the submandibular ganglion).
Greater petrosal nerve: parasympathetic to the lacrimal gland and nasal and palatal glands (via the pterygopalatine ganglion).
Also supplies the stapedius, stylohyoid and posterior belly of digastric.

Saying the buccal branch of V3 supplies the buccinator: the buccinator is supplied by the buccal branch of VII.
Giving the parotid gland parasympathetic supply from VII: it is IX (lesser petrosal → otic ganglion → auriculotemporal).
Forgetting the nerve to mylohyoid leaves the IAN before the mandibular foramen (accessory supply to mandibular molars is a cause of failed blocks).
Confusing the nasopalatine (anterior palate) with the greater palatine (posterior palate).

Facial nerve branches from top to bottom: Temporal, Zygomatic, Buccal, Marginal mandibular, Cervical (the order you meet them from forehead to neck).
Foramina: 'Standing Room Only' for the superior orbital fissure (V1), Rotundum (V2), Ovale (V3).

Pick an answer to see right away whether it is correct and why.

After an IANB the patient's lip and teeth are numb but the buccal gingiva of the mandibular first molar is not. Which nerve still needs to be anesthetized?
Taste from the anterior two-thirds of the tongue travels in which nerve?
Which branch of V2 supplies the palatal tissue of the maxillary canines and incisors?
Through which foramen does V3 exit the skull?
Parasympathetic fibers to the parotid gland reach it via which nerve?

0 of 5 answered

Answer key: 1 B · 2 B · 3 B · 4 D · 5 C

Dental School Map · Original study material, written and checked by our team; always confirm clinical decisions against current guidelines.