Masseteric nerve
| Masseteric nerve | |
|---|---|
 Mandibular division of the trigeminal nerve. (Masseteric visible near center.) | |
| Details | |
| From | mandibular nerve |
| Innervates | masseter muscle, temporomandibular joint |
| Identifiers | |
| Latin | nervus massetericus |
| TA98 | A14.2.01.070 |
| TA2 | 6253 |
| FMA | 53103 |
| Anatomical terms of neuroanatomy | |
The masseteric nerve is a nerve of the face. It is a branch of the mandibular nerve (V3). It crosses the mandibular notch to reach masseter muscle. It supplies the masseter muscle, and gives sensation to the temporomandibular joint. It may be used to compensate for facial nerve paralysis.
Structure
The masseteric nerve is a branch of the mandibular nerve (V3), itself a branch of the trigeminal nerve. It passes laterally, above the lateral pterygoid muscle, in front of the temporomandibular articulation, and behind the tendon of the temporalis muscle. It crosses the mandibular notch with the masseteric artery.[1] It then reaches the deep surface of the masseter muscle, often branching into 2 or 3 branches.[1] It ramifies nearly as far as the anterior border of the masseter muscle.
Function
The masseteric nerve supplies the masseter muscle.[1] It gives sensation to the temporomandibular joint.
Clinical significance
The masseteric nerve may be harvested and used to repair paralysis of the facial nerve.[1][2]
See also
References
This article incorporates text in the public domain from page 894 of the 20th edition of Gray's Anatomy (1918)
- ^ a b c d Brenner, Erich; Schoeller, Thomas (1998). "Masseteric nerve: A possible donor for facial nerve anastomosis?". Clinical Anatomy. 11 (6): 396–400. doi:10.1002/(SICI)1098-2353(1998)11:6<396::AID-CA5>3.0.CO;2-8. ISSN 1098-2353. PMID 9800919.
- ^ Spira, M (1978-03-01). "Anastomosis of masseteric nerve to lower division of facial nerve for correction of lower facial paralysis. Preliminary report". Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. 61 (3): 330–334. doi:10.1097/00006534-197803000-00004. ISSN 1529-4242. PMID 625495. S2CID 42995889.
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