12-i OUTLINES OF EQUINE ANATOMY. 



maxillary space, where they blend witli tliose of its fellow, 

 thus forming a sling for the tongue and a central raphe, 

 which posteriorly is attached to the inferior margin of the 

 spur process of os hyoides. To the internal surface of the 

 ramus of the inferior maxilla is attached 



Masseter interims, which arises from the under surface 

 of the crus of the sphenoid bone and of the palatine bone, 

 and becomes attached below to the greater part of the 

 internal surface of the ramus. 



By division of its inferior attachment we expose the 

 inferior maxillary division of the fifth cranial nerve, 

 which emerges from the cranium through the anterior part 

 of the foramen lacerum basis cranii. It sends a large 

 bunch of fibres to join with the seventh nerve, and pass 

 over the cheek to form the facial ; just before arriving at 

 the posterior maxillary foramen it breaks up into three 

 parts — the buccal^, gustatory, and inferior dental branches. 

 The buccal branch winds round the front of the coracoid 

 process of the bone and then passes over buccinator and 

 caninus, sending large branches to the molar salivary 

 glands. Just within its origin and firmly attached to it by 

 nerve-fibres is the otic ganglion, which receives motor 

 fibres from the seventh and sends different branches to the 

 middle ear. The gustatory branch receives an extremely 

 important branch (chorda tympani) , which passes from the 

 seventh nerve during its course through the middle ear. 

 It then passes between masseter internus and pterygoideus, 

 and goes to supply the posterior and lateral parts of the 

 tongue with common sensation and with the special sense 

 of taste. It also sends a very distinct branch to the 

 sub-lingual salivary gland. The inferior dental branch 

 at once passes through the posterior maxillary foramen ; 

 it then runs along below the fangs of the inferior molar - 

 teeth, between the two plates of the bone, taking a curved 

 direction downwards and forwards ; it sends a large branch 

 to each molar tooth, and at the anterior maxillary foramen 

 divides, one portion running onwards between the plates 

 of the bone, to be expended in supplying the canine and 

 three incisor teeth of that side, while the other runs 

 through the foramen to the lower lip, blending with a few 

 fibres from the facial nerve. The two last-mentioned 

 nerves are separated from the buccal branch by 



Pterygoideus, which arises from the under surface of the 



