Mandibular nerve (zoomed in) (Latin)

The n. mandibularis arises from the anterior portion of the gl. trigeminale. Accompanied by the radix motoria nervi trigemini, it exits the skull through the foramen ovale and enters the fossa infratemporalis. At this point, the radix motoria unites with the n. mandibularis, making it a mixed nerve. Within the fossa infratemporalis the mandibular trunk immediately gives off two branches: a r. meningeus which ascends through the foramen spinosum to supply dura of the fossa media cranii and a n. pterygoideus medialis which passes through the gl. oticum (not shown) to supply the m. pterygoideus medialis, m. tensor veli palatini, and m. tensor tympani. The n. mandibularis then splits into a divisio anterior et posterior. The divisio anterior passes efferent (motor) fibres to the n. massetericus, nn. temporales profundi and n. pterygoideus lateralis and receives afferent (sensory) fibres from the n. buccalis which supplies the skin over the cheek.