mylohyoid nerve mylohyoid nerve the mylohyoid nerve (or nerve to mylohyoid) is a mixed nerve of the head. it is a branch of the inferior alveolar nerve. it supplies the mylohyoid muscle, and the anterior belly of the digastric muscle. it may also supply mandibular (lower) molar teeth, requiring local anaesthesia for some oral procedures. mylohyoid nervemandibular division of the trigeminal nerve. (label for mylohyoid nerve is at bottom center.)mandibular division of trifacial nerve, seen from the middle line. the small figure is an enlarged view of the otic ganglion. (label "to mylohyoid" at bottom left.)detailsfrominferior alveolar nerveinnervatesmylohyoid muscle, anterior belly of digastric muscleidentifierslatinnervus mylohyoideusta98a14.2.01.090ta26275fma53247anatomical terms of neuroanatomy structure the mylohyoid nerve is a branch of the inferior alveolar nerve, a branch of the mandibular nerve (cn v3), itself a branch of the trigeminal nerve (cn v). it contains both motor neurons and sensory neurons. it branches just before it enters the mandibular foramen. it descends in a groove on the deep surface of the ramus of the mandible. when it reaches the under surface of the mylohyoid muscle, it gives branches to both the mylohyoid muscle and the anterior belly of the digastric muscle. function the mylohyoid nerve supplies the mylohyoid muscle and the anterior belly of the digastric muscle. it may also give some sensory supply to the mandibular (lower) molar teeth. in addition to the sensory innervation to the teeth, this nerve also provides cutaneous supply to the center of the submental area. clinical significance the mylohyoid nerve needs to be blocked during local anaesthesia of the mandibular (lower) teeth to prevent pain during oral procedures. it may not be anaesthetised during a block of the inferior alveolar nerve, causing pain. additional images mandible of human embryo 24 mm. long. outer aspect. mandible of human embryo 95 mm. long. inner aspect. nuclei of cartilage stippled. infratemporal fossa. lingual and inferior alveolar nerve. deep dissection. anterolateral view