BONES OF THE SKULL

MANDIBLE
THE BODY, FOUND AT THE
FRONT
A RAMUS ON THE LEFT AND
THE RIGHT, THE RAMI RISE UP
FROM THE BODY OF THE
MANDIBLE AND MEET WITH
THE BODY AT THE ANGLE OF
THE MANDIBLE OR THE
GONIAL ANGLE.
• The inferior alveolar nerve, a branch of the mandibular nerve, (a major division of
the trigeminal nerve), enters the mandibular foramen and runs forward in the mandibular
canal, supplying sensation to the teeth. At the mental foramen, the nerve divides into two
terminal branches: incisive and mental nerves. The incisive nerve runs forward in the
mandible and supplies the anterior teeth. The mental nerve exits the mental foramen and
supplies sensation to the lower lip.
• Inferior alveolar nerve block (abbreviated to IANB, and also termed inferior
alveolar nerve anesthesia or inferior dental block) is a nerve block technique
which induces anesthesia (numbness) in the areas of the mouth and face innervated by
one of the inferior alveolar nerveswhich are paired on the left and right side. These areas
are the skin and mucous membranes of the lower lip, the skin of the chin, the lower teeth
and the labial gingiva of the anterior teeth, all unilaterally to the midline of the side on
which the block is administered.