118 A MANUAL OF ANATOMY. 



of the posterior division. It descends behind (usually in- 

 ternal to) the external pterygoid muscle, passes between 

 the internal lateral ligament and ramus of the lower jaw, 

 gives off its mylohyoid branch, and enters the inferior 

 dental foramen. Its course is then through the inferior 

 dental canal, supplying branches to the bone and teeth, 

 until the mental foramen is reached, when it comes for- 

 ward through it and terminates in the muscles and integu- 

 ment of the front of the chin and the mucous membrane 

 and skin of the lower lip. The inferior dental nerve has 

 the inferior dental branch of the internal maxillary artery 

 accompanying it in its course. 



The mylohyoid nerve passes downward and for- 

 ward, grooving the inner surface of the lower jaw and 

 lying upon (beneath) the mylohyoid muscle, to which it 

 gives branches, and terminates in the anterior belly of the 

 digastric muscle. See page 8 1 . 



It is accompanied in the latter part of its course by the 

 submental branch of the facial artery. 



(3) The lingual or gustatory nerve. Next in size to 

 the inferior dental. Its course is the same as the inferior 

 dental, lying internal to and in front of it, until the inferior 

 dental foramen is reached. Here the lingual nerve con- 

 tinues forward between the internal pterygoid muscle 

 and the ramus of the lower jaw, then upon the mylo- 

 hyoid muscle close to its origin, then between the mylo- 

 hyoid and hyoglossus above the deep portion of the 

 submaxillary gland (see page 86). It joins Wharton's 

 duct on its lower side and passes with it to the tip of 

 the tongue. 



Near its origin the lingual nerve is joined by the chorda 

 tympani, and below the external pterygoid muscle is 

 connected to the inferior dental nerve by a small branch. 



