Quick Facts
Origin: Infraorbital nerve.
Course: Penetrates the maxilla to run in the lateral wall of the maxillary sinus, anterior to the middle superior alveolar nerve, and terminates in a dental plexus in the alveolar process of the maxilla.
Branches: Nasal branches.
Supply: Conveys general sense fibers from the maxillary sinus and anterior teeth of the maxilla.
Related parts of the anatomy
Origin
The anterior superior alveolar nerves originate in the inferior orbit where it branches off the infraorbital nerve. Its sensory fibers have cell bodies located in the trigeminal ganglion.
Course
From its origin, the anterior superior alveolar nerves run inferiorly through the orbital surface of the maxilla to the internal surface of the maxillary sinus. They run down the lateral surface of the anterior part of the sinus, innervating the mucosal lining. They then penetrate the alveolar process of the maxilla and spread out in a dental plexus to innervate the anterior maxillary teeth.
Branches
The anterior superior alveolar nerves give rise to small nasal branches that innervates the inferior nasal cavity. It also communicates with fibers of the middle superior alveolar nerve as part of the maxillary dental plexus.
Supplied Structures
The anterior superior alveolar nerves convey general sense information from the maxillary sinus and several maxillary teeth. Typically, these would be the incisors and canines. However, the dental plexus is not stereotyped and the exact nerve innervation to a given maxillary tooth may vary. A nasal branch conveys general sense information from the mucosa of the lower lateral nasal wall in the region of the anterior inferior meatus.
