Anat Cell Biol. 2019 Mar;52(1):82-83. doi: 10.5115/acb.2019.52.1.82. Epub 2019 Mar 29.
Knowledge of the anatomy and variations of the nerves of the oral cavity is important to surgeons who operate this region. Herein, we report a rare case of a buccal nerve with two distinct roots. The anatomy of this case and its clinical applications is discussed.
Anatomical variation; Anatomy; Buccal nerve; Buccal nerve block; Trigeminal nerve
Left infratemporal fossa. (A) Before removal of the lateral pterygoid muscle. Note the two buccal nerves join (arrowhead) superficial to the lateral pterygoid muscle. (B) After removal of the lateral pterygoid muscle. Note the anterior (black arrow) and posterior branch (white arrow) arise from the mandibular nerve deep to the lateral pterygoid muscle. EAM, external acoustic meatus; iLPM, inferior head of lateral pterygoid muscle; sLPM, superior head of lateral pterygoid muscle; MA, maxillary artery; MF, mandibular fossa; MPM, medial pterygoid muscle; MR, mandibular ramus.