Divisions of the Trigeminal Nerve (V)

The trigeminal sensory nerves include three large branches, the ophthalmic, maxillary, and mandibular divisions. The "ophthalmic division" consists of sensory fibers that bring impulses to the brain from the surface of the eye, the tear gland (the "lacrimal branch"), and the skin on the front scalp, forehead, and upper eyelid. The fibers of the "maxillary division" (including the "infraorbital nerve," which branches into a "superior alveolar nerve") carry sensory impulses from the upper teeth, upper gum, and upper lip, and from the mucous lining of the palate and the skin of the face. The "mandibular division" includes both motor and sensory fibers, branching into the "lingual" and "inferior alveolar" nerves (which then branches off into the "mental nerves"). The sensory branches transmit impulses from the scalp behind the ear, the skin of the jaw, the lower teeth, the lower gum, and the lower lip. The motor branches supply the muscles of chewing and certain muscles on the floor of the mouth.