Inferior alveolar nerve
Inferior Alveolar Nerve
The Inferior Alveolar Nerve (IAN) is a branch of the mandibular nerve, which is itself a division of the trigeminal nerve. The IAN is responsible for sensation in the lower teeth and the skin of the chin.
Anatomy[edit | edit source]
The IAN originates from the mandibular nerve and travels through the mandibular foramen into the mandibular canal. It then divides into two terminal branches: the mental nerve and the incisive nerve.
Mental Nerve[edit | edit source]
The mental nerve exits the mandibular canal through the mental foramen and provides sensation to the skin of the lower lip and chin.
Incisive Nerve[edit | edit source]
The incisive nerve continues forward in the mandibular canal and provides sensation to the lower teeth.
Clinical Significance[edit | edit source]
Damage to the IAN can result in paresthesia or anesthesia of the lower lip, chin, and lower teeth. This can occur due to trauma, surgical procedures such as wisdom tooth extraction, or tumors.
See Also[edit | edit source]
- Mandibular nerve
- Trigeminal nerve
- Mental nerve
- Incisive nerve
- Mandibular foramen
- Mandibular canal
- Mental foramen
- Paresthesia
- Anesthesia
- Wisdom tooth extraction
- Tumors
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Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
