The maxillary nerve, also known as V2, is the second division of the trigeminal nerve and is responsible for sensory innervation in various regions of the face, particularly in the middle third. Below are the main branches of the maxillary nerve and their corresponding areas of innervation:

1. Zygomatic Nerve:

   • Zygomaticofacial Nerve: Provides sensory innervation to the skin over the zygomatic bone and cheek.
   • Zygomaticotemporal Nerve: Supplies sensation to the skin over the temporal region.

2. Infraorbital Nerve: This is one of the major branches that exits the skull through the infraorbital foramen.

   • It innervates the lower eyelid, upper lip, and part of the cheek. It also provides sensory innervation to the maxillary incisors, canines, and the mucosa of the maxillary sinus.

3. Superior Alveolar Nerves: These branches innervate the upper teeth.

   • Anterior Superior Alveolar Nerve: Supplies sensation to the maxillary incisors and canines.
   • Middle Superior Alveolar Nerve: Innervates the maxillary premolars.
   • Posterior Superior Alveolar Nerve: Provides sensory innervation to the maxillary molars and the maxillary sinus.

4. Palatine Nerves:

   • Greater Palatine Nerve: Supplies sensation to the hard palate.
   • Lesser Palatine Nerve: Innervates the soft palate and parts of the tonsil.

5. Pharyngeal Nerve: Provides sensory innervation to the mucosa of the pharynx.

6. Posterior Superior Nasal Nerves: These branches innervate the nasal cavity, specifically the posterior part.

These branches collectively ensure that a wide range of sensory information, including touch, pain, and temperature, is conveyed from the middle of the face to the central nervous system.

For more detailed anatomical insights and illustrations, you can refer to these resources:

• Kenhub on the Maxillary Branch of the Trigeminal Nerve
• StatPearls Overview of Maxillary Nerve
• Wikipedia Page on Maxillary Nerve
• Dentalcare Course on V2 Maxillary Nerve
• ScienceDirect Topics on Maxillary Nerve

These references can provide you with a comprehensive understanding of the maxillary nerve and its branches along with their clinical implications.

Sources

Maxillary branch of the trigeminal nerve - KenhubAnatomy, Head and Neck, Maxillary Nerve - StatPearls - NCBIMaxillary nerve - WikipediaCranial Nerve V2 – Maxillary Nerve | Head and Neck Anatomy: Part IIIMaxillary Nerve - an overview | ScienceDirect TopicsMaxillary nerve (cranial nerve V2) | Acland's Video Atlas of Human ...The Trigeminal Nerve (CN V) - Course - Divisions - TeachMeAnatomy

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