Buccal Nerve, Lateral View

Description

Arising from the mandibular division of the trigeminal nerve (CN V3), the buccal nerve courses anteroinferiorly in the infratemporal fossa and then emerges onto the lateral face. From a lateral perspective it runs medial to the ramus of the mandible and anterior to the temporomandibular joint, passing between the heads of the lateral pterygoid before crossing toward the cheek. Distally, fine sensory branches spread over the buccinator and pierce to the buccal mucosa, lying superficial to the buccinator muscle but deep to the skin and superficial facial tissues. Topographic clarity matters here because the buccal nerve is the sensory nerve of the cheek mucosa and gingiva adjacent to the mandibular molars, and it is routinely targeted in buccal (long buccal) nerve blocks. Confusion with the buccal branch of the facial nerve is common in teaching and in operative notes: the facial nerve branch is motor to buccinator and orbicularis oris, while the buccal nerve carries somatic sensation. Injury or entrapment along the anterior border of the mandibular ramus can present as numbness or dysesthesia of the inner cheek after third molar extraction or posterior mandibular surgery. A small nerve, a frequent complaint. Dental anatomy and regional anesthesia courses use this view to map needle placement relative to the mandibular molars, anterior border of the ramus, and buccinator. It also suits maxillofacial surgery atlases and patient education materials that need to distinguish trigeminal sensory pathways from facial motor branches in the lateral cheek. Anatomical accuracy verified by SciePro's Medical Advisory Board.