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

• Masseteric artery

References

This article incorporates text in the public domain from page 894 of the 20th edition of Gray's Anatomy (1918)