Anterior superior alveolar nerve
{{Infobox nerve
| Name = Anterior superior alveolar nerve
| Latin = rami alveolares superiores anteriores nervi maxillaris, ramus alveolaris superior anteriores
| Image = Gray778.png
| Caption = Distribution of the maxillary and mandibular nerves, and the submaxillary ganglion.
| Image2 = Gray779.png
| Caption2 = Alveolar branches of superior maxillary nerve and sphenopalatine ganglion.
| Innervates = Dental alveolus
| BranchFrom =Infraorbital nerve
| BranchTo =
}}
The anterior superior alveolar nerve (or anterior superior dental nerve) is a branch of the infraorbital nerve (itself a branch of the maxillary nerve (CN V2)). It passes through the canalis sinuosus to reach and innervate upper front teeth. Through its nasal branch, it also innervates parts of the nasal cavity.
Anatomy
= Course and distribution =
It branches from the infraorbital nerve within the infraorbital canal{{Cite book |last=Standring |first=Susan |url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/1201341621 |title=Gray's Anatomy: The Anatomical Basis of Clinical Practice |year=2020 |isbn=978-0-7020-7707-4 |edition=42th |location=New York |pages=656 |oclc=1201341621}} at around the midpoint of this canal and enters the canalis sinuosus. It passes through towards the nose before passing inferior-ward and ramifying into branches which innervate the upper/maxillary incisor and canine teeth;{{cite journal|first1=Frederic Wood |last1=Jones|title=The anterior superior alveolar nerve and vessels|journal=Journal of Anatomy|volume=73|pages=583–591|date=July 1939|issue=Pt 4|pmid=17104781|pmc=1252464}} it usually innervates all the anterior teeth.{{Citation needed|date=July 2023}}
== Nasal branch ==
It issues a nasal branch which passes through a minute canal in the lateral wall of the inferior nasal meatus and innervates the mucous membrane of the floor and anterior portion of lateral wall (as far superiorly as the opening of the maxillary sinus) of the nasal cavity. It ultimately emerges close to the root of the anterior nasal spine to innervate the adjacent portion of nasal septum.
= Communications =
The nerve participates in the formation of the superior dental plexus by looping posterior-ward to{{Citation needed|date=July 2023}} communicate with the middle superior alveolar nerve.{{Cite book |last=Gray |first=Henry |url=https://archive.org/details/anatomyofhumanbo1918gray/page/891/mode/2up?view=theater |title=Gray's Anatomy |year=1918 |edition=20th |pages=891}}
The nasal branch communicates with nasal branches of the sphenopalatine ganglion.
See also
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{LoyolaMedEd|GrossAnatomy/h_n/cn/cn1/cnb2.htm}}
- {{NormanAnatomy|cranialnerves}} ({{NormanAnatomyFig|V}})
{{Trigeminal nerve}}
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