Anterior division of mandibular nerve

Nerves · Latin: Divisio anterior nervi mandibularis

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The mandibular nerve divides into a small anterior and large posterior trunk after passing between tensor veli palatini, which is medial, and lateral pterygoid, which is lateral, and giving off a meningeal branch (nervus spinosus) and the nerve to medial pterygoid from its medial side.

The anterior division gives off branches to three major muscles of mastication and a buccal branch which is sensory to the cheek:

-the nerve to medial pterygoid muscle, -the nerve to tensor veli palatini, -the nerve to tensor tympani, -the masseteric nerve, -the deep temporal nerves, -the nerve to lateral pterygoid muscle, -and the buccal nerve