Mylohyoid nerve

The mylohyoid nerve (or nerve to mylohyoid) is a nerve of the head. It is a branch of the inferior alveolar nerve. It supplies the mylohyoid muscle, and the anterior belly of the digastric muscle. It may also supply mandibular (lower) molar teeth, requiring local anaesthesia for some oral procedures.

Mylohyoid nerve
Mandibular division of the trigeminal nerve. (Label for mylohyoid nerve is at bottom center.)
Mandibular division of trifacial nerve, seen from the middle line. The small figure is an enlarged view of the otic ganglion. (Label "to mylohyoid" at bottom left.)
Details
Frominferior alveolar nerve
Innervatesmylohyoid muscle, anterior belly of digastric muscle
Identifiers
Latinnervus mylohyoideus
TA98A14.2.01.090
TA26275
FMA53247
Anatomical terms of neuroanatomy

Structure

The mylohyoid nerve is a branch of the inferior alveolar nerve, a branch of the mandibular nerve (CN V3), itself a branch of the trigeminal nerve (CN V).[1][2] It contains both motor neurons and sensory neurons.[2] It branches just before it enters the mandibular foramen .[2] It descends in a groove on the deep surface of the ramus of the mandible.[2] When it reaches the under surface of the mylohyoid muscle, it gives branches to both the mylohyoid muscle and the anterior belly of the digastric muscle.[2]

Function

The mylohyoid nerve supplies the mylohyoid muscle and the anterior belly of the digastric muscle.[1][2] It may also give some sensory supply to the mandibular (lower) molar teeth.[3] In addition to the sensory innervation to the teeth, this nerve also provides cutaneous supply to the center of the submental area.[4]

Clinical significance

The mylohyoid nerve needs to be blocked during local anaesthesia of the mandibular (lower) teeth to prevent pain during oral procedures.[3][5] It may not be anaesthetised during a block of the inferior alveolar nerve, causing pain.[2]

Additional images
  • Mandible of human embryo 24 mm. long. Outer aspect.
  • Mandible of human embryo 95 mm. long. Inner aspect. Nuclei of cartilage stippled.
  • Infratemporal fossa. Lingual and inferior alveolar nerve. Deep dissection. Anterolateral view

References

This article incorporates text in the public domain from page 896 of the 20th edition of Gray's Anatomy (1918)

  1. Hallinan, James T. P. D.; Sia, David S. Y.; Yong, Clement; Chong, Vincent (2018). "Chapter 3 - The Sphenoid Bone". Skull Base Imaging. Elsevier. pp. 39–64. doi:10.1016/B978-0-323-48563-0.00003-9. ISBN 978-0-323-48563-0.
  2. Bennett, Sam; Townsend, Grant (2001). "Distribution Of The Mylohyoid Nerve: Anatomical Variability And Clinical Implications". Australian Endodontic Journal. 27 (3): 109–111. doi:10.1111/j.1747-4477.2001.tb00470.x. ISSN 1747-4477.
  3. Ferneini, Elie M.; Bennett, Jeffrey D. (2016). "32 - Anesthetic Considerations in Head, Neck, and Orofacial Infections". Head, Neck, and Orofacial Infections - A Multidisciplinary Approach. Elsevier Science. pp. 422–437. doi:10.1016/B978-0-323-28945-0.00032-6. ISBN 978-0-323-28945-0.
  4. Iwanaga, Joe; Ibaragi, Soichiro; Okui, Tatsuo; Divi, Vasu; Ohyama, Yoshio; Watanabe, Koichi; Kusukawa, Jingo; Tubbs, R. Shane (2022-08-01). "Cutaneous branch of the nerve to the mylohyoid muscle: Potential cause of postoperative sensory alteration in the submental area". Annals of Anatomy - Anatomischer Anzeiger. 243: 151934. doi:10.1016/j.aanat.2022.151934. ISSN 0940-9602.
  5. Gulabivala, K.; Ng, Y.-L. (2014). "10 - Management of acute emergencies and traumatic dental injuries". Endodontics (4th ed.). Mosby. pp. 264–284. doi:10.1016/B978-0-7020-3155-7.00010-2. ISBN 978-0-7020-3155-7.
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