Inferior alveolar nerve

The inferior alveolar nerve (IAN) (also the inferior dental nerve) is a sensory^{[contradictory]} branch of the mandibular nerve (CN V₃) (which is itself the third branch of the trigeminal nerve (CN V)). The nerve provides sensory innervation to the lower/mandibular teeth and their corresponding gingiva as well as a small area of the face (via its mental nerve).

The inferior alveolar nerve arises from the mandibular nerve.

After branching from the mandibular nerve, the inferior alveolar nerve passes posterior to the lateral pterygoid muscle. It issues a branch (the mylohyoid nerve)^{[contradictory]} before entering the mandibular foramen to come to pass in the mandibular canal within the mandible. Passing through the canal, it issues sensory branches for the molar and second premolar teeth; the branches first form the inferior dental plexus which then gives off small gingival and dental nerves to these teeth themselves.

The nerve terminates distally/anteriorly (near the second lower premolar)^{[citation needed]} within the mandibular canal by splitting into its two terminal branches: the mental nerve, and the incisive branch.

The mental nerve emerges from the mandibular canal through the mental foramen and provides sensory innervation to the chin and lower lip.^{[citation needed]}

The incisive branch represents the anterior continuation of the inferior alveolar nerve.^{[citation needed]} It continues to course within the mandible in the mandibular incisive canal either as a single nerve or by forming the incisive plexus. It provides sensory innervation to the lower/mandibular premolar, canine, incisor teeth as well as their associated gingiva.

The inferior alveolar nerves supply sensation to the lower teeth, and, via the mental nerve, sensation to the chin and lower lip.^{[citation needed]}

The mylohyoid nerve is a motor nerve supplying the mylohyoid and the anterior belly of the digastric.^{[citation needed][contradictory]}