Marginal mandibular branch of the facial nerve

The marginal mandibular branch of the facial nerve passes forward beneath the platysma and depressor anguli oris, supplying the muscles of the lower lip and chin, and communicating with the mental branch of the inferior alveolar nerve.

Marginal mandibular branch of the facial nerve
Plan of the facial and intermediate nerves and their communication with other nerves. (Labeled at center bottom, second from bottom, as "Mandibular".)
The nerves of the scalp, face, and side of neck.
Details
Fromfacial nerve
Identifiers
Latinramus marginalis mandibularis nervi facialis
TA98A14.2.01.113
TA26305
FMA53365
Anatomical terms of neuroanatomy

Muscles innervated

The marginal mandibular branch innervates the following muscles:[1]

  • depressor labii inferioris muscle - lowers bottom lip down and laterally. Origin: Anterior part of oblique line of mandible. Insertion: Lower lip at midline, blends with muscle from opposite side.
  • depressor anguli oris muscle (triangularis) - lowers the corner of the mouth down and laterally. Origin: Oblique line of mandible below canine, premolar, and first molar teeth. Insertion: Skin at the corner of mouth and blending with orbicularis oris.
  • mentalis muscle - raises and protrudes lower lip as it wrinkles skin on chin. Origin: Mandible inferior to incisor teeth. Insertion: Skin of chin.

Clinical significance

The marginal mandibular nerve may be injured during surgery in the neck region, especially during excision of the submandibular salivary gland or during neck dissections due to lack of accurate knowledge of variations in the course, branches and relations. An injury to this nerve during a surgical procedure can distort the expression of the smile as well as other facial expressions. The marginal mandibular branch of the facial nerve is found superficial to the facial artery and (anterior) facial vein. Thus the facial artery can be used as an important landmark in locating the marginal mandibular nerve during surgical procedures.[2] Damage can cause paralysis of the three muscles it supplies, which can cause an asymmetrical smile due to lack of contraction of the depressor labii inferioris muscle.[3] This may be corrected with resection of the muscle, which tends to be successful.[3]

Additional images
  • Lateral head anatomy detail
  • Lateral head anatomy detail. Neonatal dissection.

References

This article incorporates text in the public domain from page 905 of the 20th edition of Gray's Anatomy (1918)

  1. Drake, Richard (2010). Gray's Anatomy of students. Philadelphia: Churchill Livingstone elseveier. pp. 855–866. ISBN 978-0-443-06952-9.
  2. Batra APS, Mahajan A, Gupta K. Marginal mandibular branch of the facial nerve: An anatomical study. Indian Journal of Plastic Surgery : Official Publication of the Association of Plastic Surgeons of India. 2010;43(1):60-64. doi:10.4103/0970-0358.63968.
  3. Hussain, G; Manktelow, R.T; Tomat, L.R (September 2004). "Depressor labii inferioris resection: an effective treatment for marginal mandibular nerve paralysis". British Journal of Plastic Surgery. 57 (6): 502–510. doi:10.1016/j.bjps.2004.04.003. ISSN 0007-1226. PMID 15308395.


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