| Mental nerve | |
|---|---|
 Distribution of the maxillary and mandibular nerves, and the submaxillary ganglion. (Mental nerve visible at bottom right, at chin.) | |
 Sensory areas of the head, showing the general distribution of the three divisions of the fifth nerve. (Mental nerve labeled at bottom left, near chin, in yellow.) | |
| Details | |
| From | Inferior alveolar nerve |
| Innervates | Chin, lower lip |
| Identifiers | |
| Latin | nervus mentalis |
| TA98 | A14.2.01.094 |
| TA2 | 6279 |
| FMA | 53250 |
| Anatomical terms of neuroanatomy | |
The mental nerve is a sensory nerve of the face. It is a branch of the posterior trunk of the inferior alveolar nerve, itself a branch of the mandibular nerve (CN V3), itself a branch of the trigeminal nerve (CN V). It provides sensation to the front of the chin and the lower lip, as well as the gums of the anterior mandibular (lower) teeth. It can be blocked with local anaesthesia for procedures on the chin, lower lip, and mucous membrane of the inner cheek. Problems with the nerve cause chin numbness.