The maxillary nerve (V2) primarily serves as a sensory nerve, providing sensation to the middle third of the face. Additionally, it carries fibers involved in glandular function.
Sensory Function
The primary role of the maxillary nerve is to provide sensory innervation to a significant portion of the face. This includes:
- Skin of the middle face: The maxillary nerve is responsible for sensations of touch, temperature, and pain in the skin of the midface region.
- Lower eyelid: It provides sensation to the skin of the lower eyelid.
- Cheek: It innervates the skin of the cheek region.
- Upper lip: It provides sensation to the upper lip area.
- Side of the nose: It is responsible for the sensation of the side of the nose.
- Maxillary teeth and gums: The maxillary nerve provides sensory innervation to all the teeth in the upper jaw (maxilla) and their surrounding gums.
- Mucous membrane of the palate: It provides sensation to the roof of the mouth (palate).
- Mucous membrane of the nasal cavity: Sensation within the nasal cavity is also supplied by this nerve.
Glandular Function
Besides its sensory function, the maxillary nerve also plays a role in glandular activity through postganglionic fibers from the pterygopalatine ganglion:
- Lacrimal Gland: It carries postganglionic fibers that help regulate tear production by the lacrimal gland.
- Nasal Mucous Glands: The nerve also carries fibers that control mucous secretion in the lining of the nasal cavity.
| Function | Description |
|---|---|
| Sensory | Provides sensation to the middle third of the face, including skin, teeth, and gums. |
| Glandular | Carries fibers that affect tear production and mucous secretion in the nasal cavity. |
| Area Innervated | Midface, lower eyelid, cheek, upper lip, side of the nose, maxillary teeth, gums, palate, nasal cavity. |
In essence, the maxillary nerve is a crucial component of facial sensation and has some role in tear and nasal mucus production, as it supplies sensory innervation to the middle third of the face and carries postganglionic fibers from the pterygopalatine ganglion which supply the lacrimal gland and mucous glands of the nasal mucosa.
