Maxillary Nerve: Origin, Course, And Branches

Maxillary Nerve: Origin, Course, And Branches

Describe the maxillary nerve under the following headings:

1. Origin,
2. Course and
3. Branches.
   

Answer.

Maxillary Nerve  Origin and Course The maxillary nerve arises from the trigeminal ganglion in the middle cranial fossa. It passes forward and traverses the foramen rotundum to reach the upper part of the pterygopalatine fossa. From fossa, it enters the orbit by passing through the inferior orbital fissure.

As it enters the orbit, it is called the infraorbital nerve. In the orbit it first runs in the infraorbital groove, and then passes through the infraorbital canal, to finally appear on the face by emerging through the infraorbital foramen.

Thus, the maxillary nerve traverses through four successive regions during its course:

1. Middle cranial fossa,
2. Pterygopalatine fossa,
3. Orbit and
4. Face.

Note: The infraorbital nerve is considered as the continuation of the maxillary nerve.

Maxillary Nerve Branches

Branches of Maxillary Nerve