Maxillary Nerve

•  It arises from the trigeminal ganglion,
• runs forwards in the lateral wall of the cavernous sinus below the ophthalmic nerve, and
• leaves the middle cranial fossa by passing through the foramen rotundum
• the nerve crosses the upper part of pterygopalatine fossa,
• beyond which it is continued as the infraorbital nerve.
• In the middle cranial fossa maxillary nerve gives a meningeal branch. 
• In the pterygopalatine fossa, the nerve is related to the pterygopalatine ganglion, and 
• gives off the ganglionic, posterior superior alveolar and zygomatic nerves.

Ganglionic branches 

The pterygopalatine ganglion is suspended by the ganglionic branches.

Posterior Superior Alveolar Nerve 

Enters the posterior surface of the body of the maxilla, 

supplies the three upper molar teeth and the adjoining part of the gum.

Zygomatic Nerve 

It is a branch of the maxillary nerve, given off in the pterygopalatine fossa. 

It enters the orbit through the lateral end of the inferior orbital fissure, and
runs along the lateral wall, outside the periosteum,
to enter the zygomatic bone. 

Just before or after entering the bone, it divides into
two terminal branches, the 

zygomaticofacial and zygomaticotemporal nerves 

which supply the skin of the face and of the anterior part of the temple 

The communicating branch to the lacrimal nerve, which contains secretomotor fibres to the lacrimal gland, arises from the zygomaticotemporal nerve, and runs in the lateral wall of the orbit 

Infraorbital Nerve 

• It is the continuation of the maxillary nerve.
  
• It enters the orbit through the inferior orbital fissure.
  
• It then runs forwards on the floor of the orbit or the roof of
  the maxillary sinus, at first in the infraorbital groooe and then in the infraorbital canal remaining outside the periosteum of the orbit.
  
• It emerges on the face through the infraorbital foramen and
  
• terminates by dividing into palpebral, nasal and labial branches.
  
• The nerve is accompanied by the infraorbital branch of the third part of the maxillary artery and the accompanying vein
  Branches
  1. The middle superior alveolar nerve arises in the infraorbital groove, runs in the lateral wall of the maxillary sinus, and supplies the upper premolar teeth.
  2. The anterior superior alveolar nerve arises in the infraorbital canal, and runs in a sinuous canal having a complicated course in the anterior wall of the maxillary sinus.
  • It supplies the upper incisor and canine teeth, the maxillary sinus, and the anteroinferior part of the nasal cavity.
  3. Terminal branches palpebral, nasal and labial supply a large area of skin on the face.
  They also supply the mucous membrane of the upper lip and cheek 

Watch Lectures on YouTube:

Maxillary Nerve | Course | Relations | Branches & Their Distributions