The buccal nerve is the sole sensory branch stemming from the anterior division of the mandibular nerve, itself a part of the trigeminal nerve (CN V). It's crucial for sensation in a specific area of the face.
Location and Function
The buccal nerve primarily provides sensory innervation to:
- The majority of the buccal mucosa (the lining of the inside of the cheek).
- The lower buccal gingiva (gums) in the molar region (back teeth area).
- The skin overlying the front portion of the buccinator muscle (the muscle in your cheek that helps you chew and whistle).
It's important to distinguish the buccal nerve from the buccal branch of the facial nerve, which controls facial muscles, not sensation. The buccal nerve's sensory role makes it vital for feeling in the cheek and gum areas. This is why dentists often target it for anesthesia during dental procedures, as described in several sources (https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/adj.12543). The nerve has both superficial and deep branches (https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/neuroscience/buccal-nerve), further distributing its sensory capabilities. It even transmits pain signals to the brain during certain dental treatments (https://www.colgate.com/en-us/oral-health/anesthesia/what-is-the-buccal-nerve).
The buccal nerve's pathway is well-documented; it originates from the anterior division of the mandibular nerve and travels alongside other nerves to the lateral pterygoid muscle (https://radiopaedia.org/articles/buccal-nerve). Understanding its precise course is clinically significant for effective nerve blocks during dental procedures.
