Gingival branches of superior alveolar nerves - Oral cavity - Nerves - e-Anatomy
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Gingival branches of superior alveolar nerves

Rami gingivales nervorum alveolarium superiorum

  • Latin synonym: Rami gingivales superiores nervorum alveolarium superiorum
  • Synonym: Superior gingival branches of superior alveolar nerves
  • Related terms: Superior gingival branches

Definition

The gingival branches of superior alveolar nerves arise from the superior dental plexus to innervate the upper gum region.

The superior dental plexus is situated inside the thick alveolar process of the maxilla (i.e. the upper jaw bone), between the maxillary sinus above and the upper jaw teeth below. The plexus is formed by contributions from the superior alveolar nerves–anterior, middle and posterior. These nerves descend just outside the mucosa of the maxillary sinus, which they supply. They subsequently anastomose with each other inferior to the maxillary sinus, to form the superior dental plexus.

Here, gingival branches of superior alveolar nerves are given off from the plexus–apart from the superior dental branches–that help innervate the gums around the upper maxillary teeth. The posterior part of the superior dental plexus, which receives contributions from the posterior superior alveolar nerve, gives off superior gingival branches that help innervate the gums around maxillary molars. The middle part–receiving contributions from the middle superior alveolar nerve–gives off superior gingival branches that innervate the gums around premolars, while the anterior part–from the anterior superior alveolar nerve–sprouts superior gingival branches that supply the gums around the canines and the incisors.

References

Text written by Muhammad A. Javaid, MD, PhD © 2022 IMAIOS.

  • Fillmore, E.P. and Seifert, M.F. (2015). ‘Chapter 22-Anatomy of the Trigeminal Nerve’, in Nerves and Nerve Injuries. Editor(s): Tubbs, R.S., Rizk, E., Shoja, M.M., Loukas, M., Barbaro, N. and Spinner, R.J. Academic Press, pp. 327-328. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-410390-0.00023-8

  • Drake, R.L., Vogl, A.W. and Mitchell, A.W.M. (2009). ‘Chapter 8: Head and Neck’ in Gray’s anatomy for Students. (2nd ed.) Philadelphia PA 19103-2899: Elsevier, pp. 944.

  • Shafique, S. and M Das, J. Anatomy, Head and Neck, Maxillary Nerve. [Updated 2022 Jun 11]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK542277/

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