The Trigeminal Nerve. Part IV: The Mandibular Division

ABSTRACT

The mandibular or third division of the trigeminal nerve is the largest of the three divisions. It is considered a mixed nerve. That is, like the ophthalmic and maxillary divisions, the mandibular conveys afferent fibers. But unlike the former two divisions, the mandibular also contains motor or efferent fibers to the muscles of mastication, the mylohyoid and anterior digastric muscles, and the tensor veli palatini and tensor tympani muscles. So intimately associated with dentistry, the mandibular nerve has also been termed the dental nerve by anatomists in the past. This extensive and complicated division of the trigeminal nerve can cause confusion to both patient and doctor. Pain is often referred within its branches and even into other trigeminal divisions, chiefly the maxillary. This fourth and last article about the trigeminal nerve will present in detail the mandibular division.

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Wesley E. Shankland

Dr. Wesley E. Shankland, II graduated from Ohio State University with a B.S. degree, majoring in biochemistry and zoology. In 1978, he graduated with a dental degree from the same university. He returned to graduate school and earned an M.S. in 1993 and a Ph.D. in 1997, both in anatomy. He maintains a practice in Columbus, Ohio, limited to the diagnosis and treatment of craniofacial pain and temporomandibular disorders (TMD). Dr. Shankland has written more than 65 scientific articles, a manual of head and neck anatomy, chapters in several textbooks, and two books. He is current Past President of the American Academy of Head, Neck, and Facial Pain, a member of the American Academy of Orofacial Pain, the Association of Clinical Anatomists, the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and the Christian Medical and Dental Society. He has lectured throughout the world concerning head and neck anatomy, craniofacial pain, diagnosis of headache pain, soft tissue injuries resulting from motor vehicle accidents, and TMD. He is on the editorial boards of four scientific journals and is an Associate Editor of CRANIO: The Journal of Craniomandibular Practice.