mandibular nerve

English

Noun

mandibular nerve (plural mandibular nerves)

1. (neuroanatomy) The one of the three major branches or divisions of the trigeminal nerve that supplies sensory fibers to the lower jaw, the floor of the mouth, the anterior two-thirds of the tongue, and the lower teeth and supplies motor fibers to the muscles of mastication.

   Synonym: inferior maxillary nerve

   Hyponyms: auriculotemporal nerve, buccal nerve, deep temporal nerve, inferior alveolar nerve, lateral pterygoid nerve, lingual nerve, masseteric nerve, medial pterygoid nerve

   Coordinate terms: maxillary nerve, ophthalmic nerve

References

• “mandibular nerve”, in Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster, 1996–present.