The maxillary division of the trigeminal nerve supplies sensation to the midface from the lower eyelid to the upper lip and from the nose to the upper teeth. The infraorbital nerve is its main terminal branch, exiting the infraorbital foramen below the orbital rim to supply the cheek skin. Infraorbital nerve injury from zygomaticomaxillary fractures produces the characteristic midface numbness (upper lip, cheek, and nasal ala) that is a key finding in facial trauma assessment.
| Origin | Trigeminal ganglion |
|---|
The infraorbital nerve is at risk in orbital floor blowout fractures (where the nerve runs in the infraorbital canal in the orbital floor) and in Le Fort II fractures. Persistent infraorbital numbness after fracture repair indicates nerve injury rather than pure oedema-related compression. V2 trigeminal neuralgia involving the cheek and upper lip occurs less commonly than V3 involvement.
V2 branch damage in orbital floor blowout or zygomaticomaxillary fractures producing cheek, upper lip, and nasal ala numbness that may be permanent if the nerve is transected.
This website uses cookies to enhance your experience. Some are essential for site functionality, while others help us analyze and improve your usage experience. Please review your options and make your choice.
If you are under 16 years old, please ensure that you have received consent from your parent or guardian for any non-essential cookies.
Your privacy is important to us. You can adjust your cookie settings at any time. For more information about how we use data, please read our privacy policy. You may change your preferences at any time by clicking on the settings button below.
Note that if you choose to disable some types of cookies, it may impact your experience of the site and the services we are able to offer.
Some required resources have been blocked, which can affect third-party services and may cause the site to not function properly.
This website uses cookies to enhance your browsing experience and ensure the site functions properly. By continuing to use this site, you acknowledge and accept our use of cookies.
