Mental nerve
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| Mental nerve | |
|---|---|
 Distribution of the maxillary and mandibular nerves, and the submaxillary ganglion. (Mental nerve visible at bottom right, at chin.) | |
 Sensory areas of the head, showing the general distribution of the three divisions of the fifth nerve. (Mental nerve labeled at bottom left, near chin, in yellow.) | |
| Details | |
| From | Inferior alveolar nerve |
| Innervates | Chin, lower lip |
| Identifiers | |
| Latin | nervus mentalis |
| TA98 | A14.2.01.094 |
| TA2 | 6279 |
| FMA | 53250 |
| Anatomical terms of neuroanatomy | |
The mental nerve is a sensory nerve of the face. It is a branch of the posterior trunk of the inferior alveolar nerve, itself a branch of the mandibular nerve (CN V3), itself a branch of the trigeminal nerve (CN V). It provides sensation to the front of the chin and the lower lip, as well as the gums of the anterior mandibular (lower) teeth. It can be blocked with local anaesthesia for procedures on the chin, lower lip, and mucous membrane of the inner cheek. Problems with the nerve cause chin numbness.
The mental nerve is a branch of the posterior trunk of the inferior alveolar nerve. This is a branch of the mandibular nerve (CN V3), itself a branch of the trigeminal nerve (CN V).[1] It emerges from the mental foramen in the mandible.[2] It divides into three branches beneath the depressor anguli oris muscle. One branch descends to the skin of the chin. Two branches ascend to the skin and mucous membrane of the lower lip. These branches communicate freely with the facial nerve.
Function
The mental nerve provides sensation to the front of the chin and the lower lip. It also provides sensation to some of the gums of the anterior mandibular (lower) teeth.
