NERVOUS SYSTEM. 339 



nook in the foramen lacerum basis cranii, and runs forward, de- 

 fended by the branch of the posterior jaw, across the middle of 

 the pterygoideus, and enters the foramen maxillare anterius. Its 

 branches are — 1. A rejiected branch which runs up in front of 

 the parotid gland, and joins the portio dura as the latter turns 

 round the border of the masseter. 2. The buccal nerve, which 

 pierces the superior portion of the pterygoideus, crosses behind 

 the tuberosity of the superior maxilla, penetrates the buccinatoi-, 

 and buries itself in the substance of the cheek, through which 

 it may be traced into the lower lip. 3. Twigs to the ptery- 

 goideus. 4. The gustatory nerve, a branch nearly equal in size 

 to the trunk itself. This, which by itself may be considered as 

 a trunk, and one of importance too, descends by the side of the 

 tongue, penetrates^that organ about its middle, and vanishes in 

 its tip. a. Its first branch is a long one, that takes the same 

 direction as the main (maxillary) trunk, and enters a medullary 

 foramen in the branch of the jaw. b. The gustatory then gives 

 off the dental, a long slender nerve which courses the side of 

 the inferior maxilla, concealed by the submaxillary gland (to 

 which it sends twigs) as far as the symphysis, where it enters a 

 small foramen, and sends its ultimate ramifications to the roots of 

 the incisive teeth, c. Many twigs detached laterally by the 

 nerve as it courses the substance of the tongue : they take an 

 oblique direction, and are destined for the supply of the gustatory 

 papillae. 



The inferior maxillary nerve itself, having entered the interior 

 of the bone, takes a longitudinal course close to the roots of the 

 teeth, into the fangs of which it detaches branches as it passes 

 them, while others ramify in the diploe. Through the foramen 

 maxillare anterius, the remaining portion of this nerve emerges 

 from its bony conduit, and then splits into two branches ; of 

 which the superior subdivides into several smaller ones, which 

 ramify upon the integument of the under lip : the inferior runs 

 for some way without giving off a single twig ; it then ends in 

 four or five long filaments, which expend their ramifications in 

 the substance of the lip. 



Sixth Pair, or Abducent, 



Arise, by radical filaments, from the medulla oblongata, by 

 the side of the fissure along its middle, near to its junction with 

 the tuber annulare. This nerve penetrates the cavernous sinus 

 behind the fifth pair, and therein, running between them and 

 the carotid artery, it meets with the ophthalmic nerve, and ac- 

 companies it through tlie foramen lacerum into the orbit. Here, 

 it gives ofi" two or three filaments to the retractor oculi ; but its 



