• Source: Lateral pterygoid nerve

The lateral pterygoid nerve (or external pterygoid nerve) is a branch of the anterior division of the mandibular nerve. It usually originates as two separate branches that travel near the buccal nerve, and enter the deep surfaces of the superior and inferior heads of the lateral pterygoid muscle.




Nerve pathway


trigeminal nerve (CN V)
mandibular nerve (V3)
anterior division of mandibular nerve




Variation


Some authors describe the lateral pterygoid nerve as a single branch of the anterior division of the mandibular nerve which then bifurcates to enter the two heads of the lateral pterygoid muscle.




References

Kata Kunci Pencarian:

• Lateral pterygoid nerve
• Lateral pterygoid muscle
• Lateral pterygoid
• Mandibular nerve
• Pterygoid processes of the sphenoid
• Pterygoid nerve
• Medial pterygoid muscle
• Infratemporal fossa
• Greater petrosal nerve
• List of nerves of the human body