Nasopalatine nerve

The nasopalatine nerve (long sphenopalatine nerve) is a nerve of the head. It is a branch of the pterygopalatine ganglion, a continuation from the maxillary nerve (V2). It supplies the structures of the palate, and partially supplies the nasal septum.

Nasopalatine nerve
Nerves of septum of nose, right side. (Nasopalatine is lower yellow line.)
The sphenopalatine ganglion and its branches. (Termination of nasopalatine nerve labeled at bottom left.)
Details
Frommaxillary nerve, pterygopalatine ganglion
Innervatespalate, nasal septum
Identifiers
Latinnervus nasopalatinus
TA98A14.2.01.043
TA26221
FMA52797
Anatomical terms of neuroanatomy

Structure

The nasopalatine nerve is a branch of the pterygopalatine ganglion, a continuation from the maxillary nerve (V2), itself a branch of the trigeminal nerve.[1] It enters the nasal cavity through the sphenopalatine foramen.[1] It passes across the roof of the nasal cavity below the orifice of the sphenoidal sinus to reach the nasal septum.[1] It then runs obliquely downward and forward between the periosteum and mucous membrane of the lower part of the nasal septum. It descends to the roof of the mouth through the incisive canal to the hard palate.[1]

The nasopalatine nerve communicates with the corresponding nerve of the opposite side and with the greater palatine nerve.

Function

The nasopalatine nerve supplies the anterior structures of the palate.[1] It also partially supplies the mucous membrane of the nasal septum.[1]

The medial superior posterior nasal branches of the maxillary nerve usually branch from the nasopalatine nerve.

Clinical significance

The nasopalatine nerve may be anaesthetised in order to performs surgery on the hard palate or the soft palate.[2]

History

The nasopalatine nerve was first identified by Domenico Cotugno.

Additional images
  • Base of skull. Inferior surface.

See also

References

This article incorporates text in the public domain from page 893 of the 20th edition of Gray's Anatomy (1918)

  1. Langford, R. J. (1 October 1989). "The contribution of the nasopalatine nerve to sensation of the hard palate". British Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. 27 (5): 379–386. doi:10.1016/0266-4356(89)90077-6. ISSN 0266-4356. PMID 2804040.
  2. Lassemi, E.; Motamedi, M. H. K.; Jafari, S. M.; Talesh, K. T.; Navi, F. (November 2008). "Anaesthetic efficacy of a labial infiltration method on the nasopalatine nerve". British Dental Journal. 205 (10): E21–E21. doi:10.1038/sj.bdj.2008.872. ISSN 1476-5373.
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