Question #523
Inferior alveolar nerve
The inferior alveolar nerve is a branch of the posterior trunk of the mandibular nerve. It gives off the nerve to mylohyoid which supplies both mylohyoid and the anterior belly of digastric before passing through the mandibular foramen into the mandibular canal. Here the nerve gives off branches to supply the lower teeth before exiting the mandible through the mental foramen.
It is possible to anaesthetise the nerve just before it enters the mandibular foramen allowing dental procedures to the performed on the lower teeth. The lingual nerve runs close to the inferior alveolar nerve at this point so is often co-incidentally anaesthetised resulting in a numb anterior 2/3rds of the tongue.
