Origin The nerves arise from the
trunk of the
maxillary nerve (CN V2) within the
pterygopalatine fossa'''''' just before it enters the
infraorbital groove. The nerve arises as a single trunk which split into 2-3 nerves within the pterygopalatine fossa.''''''
Course The nerves exit the pterygopalatine fossa through the
pterygomaxillary fissure. They pass within or upon the posterior wall of the maxilla.'''''' They descend on the
tuberosity of the
maxilla and give off several twigs to the
gums and neighboring parts of the
mucous membrane of the
cheek. They then enter the
alveolar canals on the
infratemporal surface of the
maxilla, and, passing from behind forward in the substance of the bone, communicate with the
middle superior alveolar nerve, and give off branches to the lining membrane of the
maxillary sinus and gingival and dental branches to each
molar tooth from a
superior dental plexus; these branches enter the
apical foramina at the roots of the teeth.
Distribution The nerves provide sensory innervation to the upper/maxillary molar teeth and the associated
gingiva of the vestibule, and the
maxillary sinus.''''''
Teeth The nerve innervates the second and third maxillary/upper molar teeth, and two of the three roots of the maxillary/upper first molar tooth (all but the mesiobuccal root). == Clinical significance ==