The mandibular nerve, a branch of the trigeminal nerve, has diverse functions involving both sensory and motor actions in the lower face and mouth.
Sensory Functions of the Mandibular Nerve
The mandibular nerve is crucial for providing sensory information from several areas:
- Teeth and Gums: It supplies the teeth and gums of the lower jaw (mandible).
- Skin: The nerve innervates the skin of the temporal region, part of the auricle (outer ear), the lower lip, and the lower part of the face.
- Tongue: The mandibular nerve carries sensory information from the mucous membrane of the anterior two-thirds of the tongue.
Motor Functions of the Mandibular Nerve
In addition to sensory roles, the mandibular nerve controls several muscles:
- Muscles of Mastication: These are the muscles responsible for chewing, including the masseter, temporalis, medial pterygoid, and lateral pterygoid muscles.
Summary of Mandibular Nerve Functions
The following table summarizes the key functions of the mandibular nerve:
| Function Type | Area/Muscle Supplied |
|---|---|
| Sensory | Teeth and gums of the mandible |
| Sensory | Skin of the temporal region, auricle, lower lip, lower face |
| Sensory | Mucous membrane of the anterior two-thirds of the tongue |
| Motor | Muscles of mastication |
Examples of Mandibular Nerve Function
- Sensory Example: When you bite down on something hard, the sensation is carried to the brain by the mandibular nerve.
- Motor Example: The mandibular nerve controls the movement of your jaw when you chew food.
Therefore, the mandibular nerve plays a vital role in both sensing touch, pain, and temperature, and in controlling the muscles necessary for chewing. It is essential for normal function of the lower face and mouth.
