171. Maxillary nerve.

MAXILLARY NERVE [V₂]

The maxillary nerve (V2) is the second (middle) division of the trigeminal ganglion.

• Purely sensory, providing innervation to various regions of the face, including the upper jaw, cheek & part of the nose.

Course :

• From the trigeminal ganglion⁽¹⁾ the maxillary n. moves forward in the lateral wall of the cavernous sinus⁽²⁾ (inferiorly to the ophthalmic nerve), which is located in the middle cranial fossa.
• It will leaves the middle cranial fossa to the foramen⁽³⁾ rotundum (a bony opening in the sphenoid bone).
• Then passes through the pterygopalatine⁽⁴⁾ fossa., and gives rise to several branches.
• The maxillary n. then enters through infraorbital fissure⁽⁵⁾ to the infraorbital⁽⁶⁾ canal, and continues as Infraorbital nerve.
• The infraorbital n. then emerges to the face through the infraorbital⁽⁷⁾ foramin.

1. 1. Meningeal br. - it gives it before exit the middle cranial fossa.

In pterygopalatine fossa :

1. 2. Zygomatic br. - enter the orbit through infraorbital fissure.

• communicate with lacrimal n.
• Gives 2 terminal branches:

1. 1.1 Zygomaticofacial n.
2. 2.2 Zygomaticotemporal n.
3. 3. Post. Superior alveolar. (PSA)
4. 4. Lesser palatine n.
5. 5. Greater palatine n.

In infraorbital canal :

1. 6. Middle superior alveolar n. (MSA)
2. 7. Anterior superior alveolar n. (ASA)

The infraorbital nerve gives 3 terminal branches on face:

1. 8. Inferior palpebral.
2. 9. Lateral nasal
3. 10. Superior labia