Nerve entrapment in the lateral pterygoid muscle
View abstract on PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.Anatomical variations show branches of the trigeminal nerve (mandibular division) passing through the lateral pterygoid muscle. This nerve entrapment may explain symptoms like numbness and pain.
Area Of Science
- Anatomy
- Neurology
- Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
Background
- The mandibular nerve (trigeminal nerve V3) is crucial for sensation and mastication.
- Its posterior trunk typically courses deep to the lateral pterygoid muscle.
- Variations in this anatomical relationship are not well-documented.
Purpose Of The Study
- To investigate the anatomical relationship between the mandibular nerve branches and the lateral pterygoid muscle.
- To identify instances of nerve entrapment within the lateral pterygoid muscle.
- To explore the clinical implications of such anatomical variations.
Main Methods
- Dissection of 52 human cadaveric specimens.
- Detailed observation and documentation of the course of the posterior trunk of the mandibular nerve and its main branches.
- Identification of any abnormal passage through the lateral pterygoid muscle fibers.
Main Results
- In 3 of 52 dissections, the lingual, inferior alveolar, and auriculotemporal nerves pierced the medial fibers of the lateral pterygoid muscle.
- The mylohyoid and anterior deep temporal nerves were also found to traverse the lateral pterygoid muscle in other specimens.
- These findings reveal previously unreported nerve entrapments within the lateral pterygoid muscle.
Conclusions
- Nerve entrapment within the lateral pterygoid muscle represents a significant anatomical variation.
- This entrapment may provide a mechanism for nerve compression, potentially leading to symptoms such as pain and numbness.
- These findings support the hypothesis linking lateral pterygoid muscle dysfunction to trigeminal nerve neuropathies.