Nasopalatine nerve
The nasopalatine nerve (also long sphenopalatine nerve[1]: 496 ) is a nerve of the head. It is a sensory branch of the maxillary nerve (CN V2) that passes through the pterygopalatine ganglion (without synapsing) and then through the sphenopalatine foramen to enter the nasal cavity, and finally out of the nasal cavity through the incisive canal and then the incisive fossa to enter the hard palate. It provides sensory innervation to the posteroinferior part of the nasal septum, and gingiva just posterior to the upper incisor teeth.[1]: 496 The nasopalatine nerve is the largest of the medial posterior superior nasal nerves.[1]: 370 StructureCourseIt exits the pterygopalatine fossa through the sphenopalatine foramen to enter the nasal cavity.[2] It passes across the roof of the nasal cavity[3] below the orifice of the sphenoidal sinus to reach the[4][better source needed] posterior part of[2] the nasal septum.[4][better source needed] It passes anteroinferiorly upon the nasal septum along a groove upon the vomer,[2] running between the periosteum and mucous membrane of the lower part of the nasal septum.[4][better source needed] It then passes through the hard palate by descending through the incisive canal to reach the roof of the mouth.[2] DistributionThe nasopalatine nerve provides sensory innervation to the posteroinferior portion of the nasal septum,[1]: 496 and the anterior-most portion of the hard palate[1]: 370 (i.e. the gingiva[1]: 496 /mucous membrane of the palate[citation needed] just posterior to the upper incisors[1]: 496 ). CommunicationsThe nasopalatine nerve communicates with the corresponding nerve of the opposite side and with the greater palatine nerve.[citation needed] Clinical significanceThe nasopalatine nerve may be anaesthetised in order to perform surgery on the hard palate or the soft palate.[5] HistoryThe nasopalatine nerve was first identified by Domenico Cotugno. Additional images
See alsoReferencesThis article incorporates text in the public domain from page 893 of the 20th edition of Gray's Anatomy (1918)
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