An abnormal communication between the sensory branches of the mandibular nerve

Abstract

Variations and communications between the branches of the mandibular nerve in the infra-temporal fossa is quite common in literature, but not all of these variations have been mentioned in standard anatomical and surgical textbooks. Some of these variations are clinically important with regard to various surgical, dental, and anesthetic procedures performed in this region. During the routine dissection of infratemporal fossa for the undergraduates, we found the presence of an abnormal communication between the auriculotemporal nerve and inferior alveolar nerve on the right side and on the left side, the auriculotemporal nerve was found to have three roots of origin, in addition to an anomalous communication between the inferior alveolar nerve and the lingual nerve. The clinical implications of this variation have been discussed in this report which is essential for successful and uncomplicated surgical, dental, and anesthetic procedures.