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ArticlesAnatomyHead and neckNerves and vesselsMental nerve
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ArticlesAnatomyHead and neckNerves and vesselsMental nerve

Mental nerve

Author: Danijel Tosovic, PhD • Reviewer: Dimitrios Mytilinaios, MD, PhD
Last reviewed: May 21, 2024
Reading time: 1 minute

Recommended video: Superficial nerves of the face and scalp [15:06]
Superficial nerves of the face and scalp.
Mental nerve
Nervus mentalis
1/3
Synonyms: none

The mental nerve is a somatic sensory nerve and is the terminal branch of the inferior alveolar nerve, which itself is a branch of the mandibular nerve, or mandibular division of the trigeminal nerve (CN V3). The mental nerve arises from the inferior alveolar nerve within the mandibular canal and exits the mandible to enter the face through the mental foramen. 

After exiting the mental foramen, the mental nerve itself immediately divides into mental, inferior labial and gingival branches which supply the skin of the chin, the skin and mucous membrane of the lower lip and labial gingivae.

Terminology English: Mental nerve
Latin: Nervus mentalis
Definition Terminal branch of the inferior alveolar nerve
Supply Skin of the chin, skin and mucous membrane of the lower lip and labial gingivae

Learn more about the branches of the mandibular nerve with this study unit (and article):

Mandibular nerve (CN V3) Explore study unit
Mandibular nerve (CN V3) Read article

Sources

All content published on Kenhub is reviewed by medical and anatomy experts. The information we provide is grounded on academic literature and peer-reviewed research. Kenhub does not provide medical advice. You can learn more about our content creation and review standards by reading our content quality guidelines.
  • Moore, K. L., Dalley, A. F., & Agur, A. M. R. (2014). Clinically Oriented Anatomy (7th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
  • Standring, S. (2016). Gray's Anatomy (41st ed.). Edinburgh: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone.

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