Buccal Nerve

Description

Running along the lateral face in a left-sided profile, the buccal nerve (long buccal nerve) branches from the anterior division of the mandibular nerve (V3) just inferior to the foramen ovale and courses anteroinferiorly beside the lateral pterygoid muscle. Its fibers pass between the heads of the lateral pterygoid and then travel anterior to the mandibular ramus toward the cheek, distributing cutaneous and mucosal sensation over the buccal region. Superficial to its terminal branches lie the buccinator and the oral commissure region, while nearby bony landmarks include the maxilla, zygomatic bone, and mandible with detailed dentition. Color coding separates the skeletal framework from the highlighted peripheral nerves. Clear. Clinically, this course matters because the buccal nerve supplies general sensation to the buccal gingiva of the mandibular molars and the inner cheek, a territory that is easy to confuse with the motor buccal branches of the facial nerve that traverse the same region superficially. Dentists target it for a long buccal nerve block to anesthetize buccal soft tissues during mandibular molar procedures, and surgeons working in the masticator space use its position near the lateral pterygoid and mandibular notch to orient dissection. Traumatic lacerations of the cheek or iatrogenic injury during third molar extraction can produce focal numbness of the buccal mucosa without weakness of facial expression, a helpful teaching distinction. Faculty can drop this asset into head and neck anatomy practicals to reinforce trigeminal sensory territories, the relationship of V3 to the muscles of mastication, and common dental anesthesia targets. It also fits surgical atlases, oral and maxillofacial consent materials, and patient education on postoperative sensory changes after mandibular molar surgery. Anatomical accuracy verified by SciePro's Medical Advisory Board.