Trigeminal Nerve Branches — MFDS Part 1 MCQ

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ModerateAnatomy (Head & Neck)Trigeminal Nerve BranchesMFDS Part 1

Which of the following nerves is NOT a branch of the mandibular division of the trigeminal nerve (V3)?

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Correct answer: E — Infraorbital nerve

The correct answer is E, the infraorbital nerve. The maxillary division of the trigeminal nerve (V2) enters the pterygopalatine fossa and continues through the inferior orbital fissure and infraorbital canal as the infraorbital nerve. By contrast, the inferior alveolar, lingual and auriculotemporal nerves arise from the posterior division of V3. The buccal nerve, which provides general sensory innervation to the cheek and buccal gingiva in the mandibular molar region, arises from the anterior division of V3. It should not be confused with the motor buccal branches of the facial nerve.

Reference: Kim H-J, Seong M, Kim Y. Normal Anatomy of Cranial Nerves III–XII on Magnetic Resonance Imaging, trigeminal nerve extraforaminal segment, 2020. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36238638/