As the maxillary division courses anteriorly into the infraorbital canal, which nerve does it give off a branch to?

As the maxillary division courses anteriorly into the infraorbital canal, which nerve does it give off a branch to?

• A. Anterior Superior Alveolar (ASA) nerve
• B. Middle Superior Alveolar (MSA) nerve
• C. Posterior Superior Alveolar (PSA) nerve
• D. Infraorbital nerve

Answer: (A)

As the maxillary division moves forward into the infraorbital canal, its continuation is the infraorbital nerve. In that course, it gives off the anterior superior alveolar nerve, which supplies the maxillary anterior teeth and the adjacent gingiva. The other nerves are associated with different portions or patterns (the middle superior alveolar nerve, when present, may arise to premolars; the posterior superior alveolar nerve serves the posterior teeth from a more posterior pathway; the infraorbital nerve remains the main trunk within the canal before giving off the ASA branch).

As the maxillary division moves forward into the infraorbital canal, its continuation is the infraorbital nerve. In that course, it gives off the anterior superior alveolar nerve, which supplies the maxillary anterior teeth and the adjacent gingiva. The other nerves are associated with different portions or patterns (the middle superior alveolar nerve, when present, may arise to premolars; the posterior superior alveolar nerve serves the posterior teeth from a more posterior pathway; the infraorbital nerve remains the main trunk within the canal before giving off the ASA branch).