ANTERIOR ASPECT OF HEAD AND NECK. 



hard palate ; it communicates with its fellow and the large pos- 

 terior palatine. [683] 



Inferior Maxillary. Emerging from the foramen ovale, the 

 roots unite in a nerve which soon divides into anterior and pos- 

 terior trunks. Before dividing it gives off a recurrent branch 

 which runs through the foramen spinosum to the dura; and 

 also a branch to the Internal pterygoid, which supplies the motor 

 root of the otic ganglion. [683] 



The anterior trunk descends under the External pterygoid 

 and separates into the following branches: One to the deep 

 surface of the External ptergyoid. One running above the 

 External pterygoid and through the sigmoid notch of the 

 mandible to the Masseter. Two ascending above the External 

 pterygoid to the Temporal. One (buccal nerve) running be- 

 tween the heads of the External pterygoid to the Buccinator 

 and usually sending a branch to the Temporal; this nerve is 

 sensory and supplies the cheek and inside of the mouth, pierc- 

 ing the Buccinator; it communicates with the facial. [683] 



The posterior trunk descends beneath the External ptery- 

 goid and, after giving off the auriculo- temporal, divides into 

 the lingual and inferior dental. [684] 



The auricula-temporal arises by two roots which embrace the 

 middle meningeal artery and then unite. Running backward 

 under the External pterygoid and between the internal lateral 

 ligament and neck of the jaw bone, it ascends through the 

 parotid gland and then over the zygoma and in front of the 

 ear, where it divides into terminal branches for the temple and 

 scalp. It also gives branches to the temporo-maxillary joint, 

 parotid gland, and external auditory meatus. It receives 

 branches, at its roots, from the otic ganglion, and communi- 

 cates with the facial in the parotid gland and superficially on 

 the temple. [684] 



The lingual descends beneath the External pterygoid, then 

 runs forward between the Internal pterygoid and the ramus 

 of the mandible, and then passes under the floor of the mouth, 



[71] 



