Salivary glands, the Oral

fissure and Lips

AN 101
Salivary glands
• Salivary glands are glands open or
secrete into the oral cavity.
• There are two types of salivary glands :-
Minor salivary glands are small glands
in the submucosa or mucosa of the oral
epithelium lining the tongue, palate,
cheeks, and lips, and open into the oral
cavity directly or via small ducts.
Major salivary glands are larger glands,
which include the paired parotid,
submandibular, and sublingual glands
Parotid gland
• Is a paired gland one on each side and
is entirely outside the boundaries of
the oral cavity in a shallow triangular-
shaped trench formed by
the sternocleidomastoid muscle
behind;
the ramus of mandible in front; and
superiorly, the base of the trench is
formed by the external acoustic
meatus and the posterior aspect of
the zygomatic arch
Parotid gland
• The gland normally extends anteriorly over
the masseter muscle, and inferiorly over the
posterior belly of the digastric muscle.
• The parotid duct passes anteriorly across
the external surface of the masseter muscle
and then turns medially to penetrate the
buccinator muscle of the cheek and open
into the oral cavity adjacent to the crown of
the second upper molar tooth
• Structures passing through the substance of
the parotid gland include:- the external
carotid artery, the retromandibular vein,
and the origin of the extracranial part of the
facial nerve [VII]
Submandibular gland
• Are smaller than the parotid glands,
but larger than the sublingual glands.
• Each is hook shaped
• the larger arm of the hook is directed
forward in the horizontal plane below
the mylohyoid muscle and is therefore
outside the boundaries of the oral
cavity-this larger superficial part of the
gland is directly against a shallow
impression on the medial side of the
mandible (submandibular fossa)
inferior to the mylohyoid line
Submandibular gland
• the smaller arm of the hook (or
deep part) of the gland loops
around the posterior margin of
the mylohyoid muscle to enter
and lie within the floor of the
oral cavity where it is lateral to
the root of the tongue on the
lateral surface of the hyoglossus
muscle
Submandibular gland
• The submandibular duct emerges from the medial side of the deep
part of the gland in the oral cavity and passes forward to open on the
summit of a small sublingual caruncle (papilla) beside the base of
frenulum of the tongue 
• The lingual nerve loops under the submandibular duct, crossing first
the lateral side and then the medial side of the duct, as the nerve
descends anteromedially through the floor of the oral cavity and then
ascends into the tongue.
Sublingual gland
• Are the smallest of the three major
paired salivary glands.
• Each is almond shaped and is
immediately lateral to the
submandibular duct and associated
lingual nerve in the floor of the oral
cavity
• Each sublingual gland lies directly
against the medial surface of the
mandible where it forms a shallow
groove (sublingual fossa) superior to the
anterior one-third of the mylohyoid line.
Sublingual gland
• The superior margin of the sublingual gland
raises an elongate fold of mucosa (sublingual
fold), which extends from the posterolateral
aspect of the floor of the oral cavity to the
sublingual papilla beside the base of the
frenulum of the tongue at the midline
anteriorly
• It drains into the oral cavity via numerous small
ducts (minor sublingual ducts), which open
onto the crest of the sublingual fold.
• Occasionally, the more anterior part of the
gland is drained by a duct (major sublingual
duct) that opens together with the
submandibular duct on the sublingual caruncle
Blood supply and lymphatic drainage
• Arterial supply to the the salivary gland is by branches of the external
carotid artery, these include:- branches of the facial and lingual arteries.
• Veins from the parotid gland drain into the external jugular vein, and those
from the submandibular and sublingual glands drain into lingual and facial
veins
• Lymphatic vessels from the parotid gland drain into nodes that are on or in
the gland. These parotid nodes then drain into superficial and deep cervical
nodes.
• Lymphatics from the submandibular and sublingual glands drain mainly into
submandibular nodes and then into deep cervical nodes, particularly the
jugulo-omohyoid node.
Nerve supply-parasympathetic
• Parasympathetic innervation to all
salivary glands in the oral cavity is by
branches of the facial nerve [VII], which
join branches of the maxillary [V2] and
mandibular [V3] nerves to reach their
target destinations.
• The parotid gland receives its
parasympathetic innervation from fibers
that initially traveled in the
glossopharyngeal nerve [IX], which
eventually joins a branch of the
mandibular nerve [V3] in the
infratemporal fossa
Greater petrosal nerve
• All salivary glands above the level of the oral
fissure, as well as all mucus glands in the nose
and the lacrimal gland in the orbit, are
innervated by parasympathetic fibers carried in
the greater petrosal branch of the facial nerve
[VII].
• Preganglionic parasympathetic fibers carried in
this nerve enter the pterygopalatine fossa and
synapse with postganglionic parasympathetic
fibers in the pterygopalatine ganglion formed
around branches of the maxillary nerve [V2].
• Postganglionic parasympathetic fibers join
general sensory branches of the maxillary nerve,
such as the palatine nerves, destined for the roof
of the oral cavity, to reach their target glands.
Chorda tympani
• All glands below the level of the oral
fissure, which include those small
glands in the floor of the oral cavity, in
the lower lip, and in the tongue, and the
larger submandibular and sublingual
glands, are innervated by
parasympathetic fibers carried in the
chorda tympani branch of the facial
nerve 
• The chorda tympani joins the lingual
nerve of the mandibular nerve [V3] in
the infratemporal fossa and passes with
it into the oral cavity.
Chorda tympani
• Preganglionic parasympathetic fibers
leave the inferior aspect of the lingual
nerve to synapse with postganglionic
parasympathetic fibers in the
submandibular ganglion, which appears
to hang off the lingual nerve on the
external surface of hyoglosus muscle.
• Postganglionic parasympathetic fibers
leave the ganglion and pass directly to
the submandibular and sublingual
glands while others hop back onto the
lingual nerve and travel with branches of
the lingual nerve to target glands.
Roof of the mouth
• The roof of the oral cavity consists of the palate, which has two parts-
an anterior hard palate and a posterior soft palate
Hard palate
• Separates the oral cavity from the nasal cavities. It consists of a bony plate
covered above and below by mucosa
• above, it is covered by respiratory mucosa and forms the floor of the nasal
cavities;
• below, it is covered by a tightly bound layer of oral mucosa and forms much
of the roof of the oral cavity
• The palatine processes of the maxillae form the anterior three-quarters of
the hard palate. The horizontal plates of the palatine bones form the
posterior one-quarter. In the oral cavity, the upper alveolar arch borders the
hard palate anteriorly and laterally. Posteriorly, the hard palate is continuous
with the soft palate
Hard palate
• The mucosa of the hard palate in the
oral cavity possesses
numerous transverse palatine
folds (palatine rugae) and a median
longitudinal ridge (palatine raphe),
which ends anteriorly in a small oval
elevation (incisive papilla).
• The incisive papilla overlies the
incisive fossa formed between the
horizontal plates of the maxillae
immediately behind the incisor
teeth.
Soft palate
• The soft palate continues posteriorly from the
hard palate and acts as a valve that can be
depressed to help close the oropharyngeal
isthmus;
elevated to separate the nasopharynx from
the oropharynx.
• It is formed and moved by four muscles and is
covered by mucosa that is continuous with
the mucosa lining the pharynx and oral and
nasal cavities.
• The small tear-shaped muscular projection
that hangs from the posterior free margin of
the soft palate is the uvula
Muscles of the palate
• Five muscles on each side contribute to the formation and movement
of the soft palate. Two of these, the tensor veli palatini and levator
veli palatini, descend into the palate from the base of the skull.
• Two others include the palatoglossus and palatopharyngeus, which
ascend into the palate from the tongue and pharynx, respectively.
• The last muscle is the musculus uvulae,which is associated with the
uvula
• All muscles of the palate are innervated by the vagus nerve [X] except
for the tensor veli palatini, which is innervated by the mandibular
nerve [V3] (via the nerve to medial pterygoid
Tensor veli palatini
• Iss composed of two parts-a vertical muscular part and a more horizontal fibrous part, which
forms the palatine aponeuris
• The vertical part is thin and triangular in shape with its base attached to the skull and its apex
pointed inferiorly.
• It originates along an oblique line that begins medially at the scaphoid fossa near the root of the
pterygoid process of the sphenoid bone and continues laterally along the membranous part of the
pharyngotympanic tube to the spine of the sphenoid bone. 
• The tensor veli palatini descends vertically along the lateral surface of the medial plate of the
pterygoid process and pharyngeal wall to the pterygoid hamulus where the fibers converge to
form a small tendon
• The tendon loops 90° medially around the pterygoid hamulus, penetrating the origin of the
buccinator muscle as it does, and expands like a fan to form the fibrous horizontal part of the
muscle. This fibrous part is continuous across the midline with its partner on the other side to
form the palatine aponeurosis
Tensor veli palatini
• is attached anteriorly to the margin of the hard
palate, but is unattached posteriorly where it ends
in a free margin. This expansive aponeurosis is the
major structural element of the soft palate to which
the other muscles of the palate attach
• The actions of the tensor veli palatini include:-
• It tenses (makes firm) the soft palate so that the
other muscles attached to the palate can work more
effectively; and
• opens the pharyngotympanic tube when the palate
moves during yawning and swallowing as a result of
its attachment superiorly to the membranous part
of the pharyngotympanic tube
• The tensor veli palatini is innervated by the nerve to
medial pterygoid from the mandibular nerve [V3].
Levator veli palatini
• Originates from the base of the skull and
descends to the upper surface of the palatine
aponeurosis
• On the skull, it originates from a roughened
area on the petrous part of the temporal bone
immediately anterior to the opening of the
carotid canal. Some fibers also originate from
adjacent parts of the pharyngotympanic tube
• It passes anteroinferiorly through fascia of the
pharyngeal wall, passes medial to the
pharyngotympanic tube, and inserts onto the
palatine aponeurosis.
• Its fibers interlace at the midline with those of
the levator veli palatini on the other side
Levator veli palatini
• Are the only muscles that can elevate the
palate above the neutral position and close
the pharyngeal isthmus between the
nasopharynx and oropharynx
• The levator veli palatini is innervated by the
vagus nerve [X] through the pharyngeal
branch to the pharyngeal plexus.
• Clinically, the levator veli palatini can be
tested by asking a patient to say "ah." If the
muscle on each side is functioning normally,
the palate elevates evenly in the midline.
• If one side is not functioning, the palate
deviates away from the abnormal side
Palatopharyngeus
• It originates from the superior surface of
the palatine aponeurosis and passes
posterolaterally over its margin to
descend and become one of the
longitudinal muscles of the pharyngeal
wall.
• It is attached to the palatine
aponeurosis by two flat lamellae
separated by the levator veli palatini
muscle. The more anterior and lateral of
these two lamellae is attached to the
posterior margin of the hard palate as
well as to the palatine aponeurosis
Palatopharyngeus

• The two palatopharyngeus muscles, one on each side, underlie the palatopharyngeal

arches on the oropharyngeal wall. The palatopharyngeal arches lie posterior and medial
to the palatoglossal arches when viewed anteriorly through the oral cavity
• On each side, the palatine tonsil is between the palatopharyngeal and palatoglossal
arches on the lateral oropharyngeal wall
• The palatopharyngeus muscles:-
depress the palate and move the palatopharyngeal arches toward the midline like
curtains-both these actions help close the oropharyngeal isthmus; and
elevate the pharynx during swallowing
• The palatopharyngeus is innervated by the vagus nerve [X] through the pharyngeal branch
to the pharyngeal plexus
Palatoglossus
• Originates from the inferior (oral surface) of the
palatine aponeurosis and passes inferiorly and
anteriorly into the lateral surface of the tongue 
• It underlies a fold of mucosa that arches from the
soft palate to the tongue. These palatoglossal
arches, one on each side, are lateral and anterior to
the palatopharyngeal arches and define the lateral
margins of the oropharyngeal isthmus
• The palatine tonsil is between the palatoglossal and
palatopharyngeal arches on the lateral
oropharyngeal wall
• The palatoglossus muscles depress the palate,
move the palatoglossal arches toward the midline
like curtains, and elevate the back of the tongue.
These actions help close the oropharyngeal isthmus
Musculus Uvale
• It originates from the posterior nasal spine on
the posterior margin of the hard palate.
• It inserts onto the connective tissue
underlying the mucosa of the uvula.
• It passes between the two lamellae of the
palatopharyngeus superior to the attachment
of the levator veli palatini. Along the midline,
the musculus uvulae blends with its partner
on the other side.
• Its action is to elevates and retracts the uvula.
• It is innervated by the vagus nerve [X]
through the pharyngeal branch to the
pharyngeal plexus.
Arteries
• Arteries of the palate include the greater palatine branch
of the maxillary artery, the ascending palatine branch of
the facial artery, and the palatine branch of the
ascending pharyngeal artery.
• The maxillary, facial, and ascending pharyngeal arteries
are all branches that arise in the neck from the external
carotid artery
• The ascending palatine artery of the facial artery
ascends along the external surface of the pharynx. The
palatine branch loops medially over the top of the
superior constrictor muscle of the pharynx to penetrate
the pharyngeal fascia with the levator veli palatini muscle
and follow the levator veli palatini to the soft palate.
• The palatine branch of the ascending pharyngeal artery
follows the same course as the palatine branch of the
ascending palatine artery from the facial artery and may
replace the vessel.
Greater palatine artery
• It originates from the maxillary artery in the
pterygopalatine fossa and descends into the
palatine canal where it gives origin to a small lesser
palatine branch, and then continues through the
greater palatine foramen onto the inferior surface
of the hard palate.
• The greater palatine artery passes forward on the
hard palate and then leaves the palate superiorly
through the incisive canal to enter the medial wall
of the nasal cavity where it terminates.
• It is the major artery of the hard palate. It also
supplies palatal gingiva.
• The lesser palatine branch passes through the
lesser palatine foramen just posterior to the greater
palatine foramen, and contributes to the vascular
supply of the soft palate
Veins and lymphatics
• Veins from the palate generally
follow the arteries and ultimately
drain into the pterygoid plexus of
veins in the infratemporal fossa
or into a network of veins
associated with the palatine
tonsil, which drain into the
pharyngeal plexus of veins or
directly into the facial vein.
• Lymphatic vessels from the palate
drain into deep cervical nodes
Innervation
• The palate is supplied by the greater and
lesser palatine nerves and the
nasopalatine nerve 
• General sensory fibers carried in all these
nerves originate in the pterygopalatine
fossa from the maxillary nerve [V2]
• Parasympathetic (to glands) and SA (taste
on soft palate) fibers from a branch of the
facial nerve [VII] join the nerves in the
pterygopalatine fossa, as do the
sympathetics (mainly to blood vessels)
ultimately derived from the T1 spinal
cord level.
Greater and lesser palatine nerves
• The greater and lesser palatine nerves
descend through the pterygopalatine
fossa and palatine canal to reach the
palate
• The greater palatine nerve travels
through the greater palatine foramen
and turns anteriorly to supply the
hard palate and gingiva as far as the
first premolar;
• The lesser palatine nerve passes
posteromedially to supply the soft
palate.
Nasopalatine nerve
• The nasopalatine nerve also originates
in the pterygopalatine fossa, but passes
medially into the nasal cavity. It
continues medially over the roof of the
nasal cavity to reach the medial wall,
then anteriorly and obliquely down the
wall to reach the incisive canal in the
anterior floor, and descends through the
incisive canal and fossa to reach the
inferior surface of the hard palate
• The nasopalatine nerve supplies gingiva
and mucosa adjacent to the incisors and
canine
Oral fissure and Lips
Oral fissure and Lips
• The oral fissure is the slit-like opening between the lips that connects the oral
vestibule to the outside.
• It can be opened and closed, and altered in shape by the movements of the
muscles of facial expression associated with the lips and surrounding regions, and
by movements of the lower jaw (mandible)
• The lips are entirely composed of soft tissues. They are lined internally by oral
mucosa and covered externally by skin. Externally, there is an area of transition
from the thicker skin that covers the face to the thinner skin that overlies the
margins of the lips and continues as oral mucosa onto the deep surfaces of the lips
• Blood vessels are closer to the surface in areas where the skin is thin and as a
consequence there is a vermilion border that covers the margins of the lips
Oral fissure and lips
• The upper lip has a shallow vertical groove on its external surface
(the philtrum) sandwiched between two elevated ridges of skin. The
philtrum and ridges are formed embryologically by fusion of the
medial nasal processes
• On the inner surface of both lips, a fold of mucosa (the median labial
frenulum) connects the lip to the adjacent gum.
• The lips enclose the orbicularis oris muscle, neurovascular tissues,
and labial glands. The small pea-shaped labial glands are between the
muscle tissue and the oral mucosa and open into the oral vestibule
Oral fissure and lips
• A number of muscles of facial expression
control the shape and size of the oral
fissure. The most important of these is the
orbicularis oris muscle, which encircles the
orifice and acts as a sphincter.
• A number of other muscles of facial
expression blend into the orbicularis oris or
other tissues of the lips and open or adjust
the contours of the oral fissure.
• These include buccinator, levator labii
superioris, zygomaticus major and minor,
levator anguli oris, depressor labii inferioris,
depressor anguli oris, and platysma
Oral pharyngeal isthmus
• The oropharyngeal isthmus is the opening between the oral cavity and the oropharynx.
• It is formed:
laterally by the palatoglossal arches;
superiorly by the soft palate; and
and inferiorly by the sulcus terminalis of the tongue that divides the oral surface of the
tongue (anterior two-thirds) from the pharyngeal surface (posterior one-third).
• It can be closed by elevation of the posterior aspect of the tongue, depression of the palate,
and medial movement of the palatoglossal arches toward the midline
• Medial movement of the palatopharyngeal arches medial and posterior to the palatoglossal
arches is also involved in closing the oropharyngeal isthmus.
• By closing the oropharyngeal isthmus, food or liquid can be held in the oral cavity while
breathing.
Teeth and gingiva
• The teeth are attached to sockets
(alveoli) in two elevated arches of bone
on the mandible below and the maxillae
above (alveolar arches). If the teeth are
removed, the alveolar bone is resorbed
and the arches disappear.
• The gingivae (gums) are specialized
regions of the oral mucosa that surround
the teeth and cover adjacent regions of
the alveolar bone
• The different types of teeth are
distinguished on the basis of morphology,
position, and function
Teeth and gingiva
• There are 32 teeth in an adult human, 16 in the upper jaw and 16 in the lower jaw.
• On each side in both maxillary and mandibular arches are two incisor, one canine, two
premolar, and three molar teeth.
the incisor teeth are the "front teeth" and have one root and a chisel-shaped crown, which
"cuts";
the canine teeth are posterior to the incisors, are the longest teeth, have a crown with a
single pointed cusp, and "grasp";
the premolar teeth (bicuspids) have a crown with two pointed cusps, one on the buccal
(cheek) side of the tooth and the other on the lingual (tongue) or palatal (palate) side,
generally have one root (but the upper first premolar next to the canine may have two), and
"grind";
the molar teeth are behind the premolar teeth, have three roots and crowns with three to
five cusps, and "grind."
Teeth and gingivae
• Two successive sets of teeth develop in humans, deciduous teeth ("baby"
teeth) and permanent teeth ("adult" teeth).
• The deciduous teeth emerge from the gingivae at between six months and
two years of age while permanent teeth begin to emerge and replace the
deciduous teeth at around age six years, and can continue to emerge into
adulthood
• The 20 deciduous teeth consist of two incisor, one canine, and two molar
teeth on each side of the upper and lower jaws. These teeth are replaced
by the incisor, canine, and premolar teeth of the permanent teeth. The
permanent molar teeth erupt posterior to the deciduous molars and
require the jaws to elongate forward to accommodate them.
Inferior alveolar artery
• All lower teeth are supplied by the inferior
alveolar artery, which originates from the
maxillary artery in the infratemporal fossa.
• It enters the mandibular canal of the
mandible, passes anteriorly in bone
supplying vessels to the more posterior
teeth, and divides opposite the first
premolar into incisor and mental branches.
• The mental branch leaves the mental
foramen to supply the chin, while the
incisor branch continues in bone to supply
the anterior teeth and adjacent structures.
Anterior and posterior superior alveolar
arteries
• All upper teeth are supplied by anterior
and posterior superior alveolar arteries.
• The posterior superior alveolar
artery originates from the maxillary
artery just after the maxillary artery
enters the pterygopalatine fossa and it
leaves the fossa through the
pterygomaxillary fissure.
• It descends on the posterolateral
surface of the maxilla, branches, and
enters small canals in the bone to supply
the molar and premolar teeth.
Anterior and posterior superior alveolar
arteries
• The anterior superior alveolar
artery originates from the infra-orbital
artery, which arises from the maxillary
artery in the pterygopalatine fossa.
• The infra-orbital artery leaves the
pterygopalatine fossa through the inferior
orbital fissure and enters the inferior orbital
groove and canal in the floor of the orbit.
• The anterior superior alveolar artery
originates from the infra-orbital artery in
the infra-orbital canal.
• It passes through bone and branches to
supply the incisor and canine teeth
Gingival supply
• The gingivae are supplied by multiple vessels and
the source depends on which side of each tooth the
gingiva is-the side facing the oral vestibule or cheek
(vestibular or buccal side), or the side facing the
tongue or palate (lingual or palatal side)
buccal gingiva of the lower teeth is supplied by
branches from the inferior alveolar artery, whereas
the lingual side is supplied by branches from the
lingual artery of the tongue;
buccal gingiva of the upper teeth is supplied by
branches of the anterior and posterior superior
alveolar arteries;
palatal gingiva is supplied by branches from the
nasopalatine (incisor and canine teeth) and greater
palatine (premolar and molar teeth) arteries
Veins and lymphatics
• Veins from the upper and lower teeth generally follow
the arteries
• Inferior alveolar veins from the lower teeth, and
superior alveolar veins from the upper teeth drain
mainly into the pterygoid plexus of veins in the
infratemporal fossa, although some drainage from the
anterior teeth may be via tributaries of the facial vein
• The pterygoid plexus drains mainly into the maxillary
vein and ultimately into the retromandibular vein and
jugular system of veins.
• In addition, small communicating vessels pass
superiorly, from the plexus, and pass through small
emissary foramina in the base of the skull to connect
with the cavernous sinus in the cranial cavity.
• Infection originating in the teeth can track into the
cranial cavity through these small emissary veins
Veins and lymphatics
• Venous drainage from the teeth can
also be via vessels that pass through
the mental foramen to connect with
the facial vein.
• Veins from the gingivae also follow
the arteries and ultimately drain into
the facial vein or into the pterygoid
plexus of veins
• Lymphatic vessels from the teeth and
gingivae drain mainly into
submandibular, submental, and deep
cervical nodes.
Inferior alveolar nerve
• All lower teeth are innervated by
branches from the inferior alveolar
nerve, which originates in the
infratemporal fossa from the mandibular
nerve [V3].
• The inferior alveolar nerve and its
accompanying vessels enter the
mandibular foramen on the medial
surface of the ramus of mandible and
travel anteriorly through the bone in the
mandibular canal.
• Branches to the back teeth originate
directly from the inferior alveolar nerve
Inferior alveolar nerve
• Adjacent to the first premolar tooth,
the inferior alveolar nerve divides
into incisive and mental branches
• the incisive branch innervates the
first premolar, the canine, and the
incisor teeth, together with the
associated vestibular (buccal)
gingiva;
• the mental nerve exits the mandible
through the mental foramen and
innervates the chin and lower lip.
Anterior, middle, and posterior superior
alveolar nerves
• All upper teeth are innervated by the anterior,
middle, and posterior superior alveolar nerves,
which originate directly or indirectly from the
maxillary nerve 
• The posterior superior alveolar nerve
originates directly from the maxillary nerve [V2]
in the pterygopalatine fossa, exits the
pterygopalatine fossa through the
pterygomaxillary fissure, and descends on the
posterolateral surface of the maxilla.
• The posterior superior alveolar nerve then
innervates the molar teeth through the
superior alveolar plexus formed by the
posterior, middle, and anterior alveolar nerves.
Anterior, middle, and posterior superior
alveolar nerves
• The middle and anterior superior alveolar
nerves originate from the infra-orbital branch of
the maxillary nerve [V2] in the floor of the orbit
• the middle superior alveolar nerve arises from
the infra-orbital nerve in the infra-orbital groove,
passes through the bone in the lateral wall of the
maxillary sinus, and innervates the premolar
teeth via the superior alveolar plexus;
• the anterior superior alveolar nerve originates
from the infra-orbital nerve in the infra-orbital
canal, passes through the maxilla in the anterior
wall of the maxillary sinus, and via the superior
alveolar plexus, supplies the canine and incisor
teeth
Innervation of the gingivae
• Like the teeth, the gingivae are innervated by nerves
that ultimately originate from the trigeminal nerve
[V].
gingiva associated with the upper teeth is
innervated by branches derived from the maxillary
nerve [V2];
gingiva associated with the lower teeth is innervated
by branches of the mandibular nerve [V3].
The gingiva on the buccal side of the upper teeth is
innervated by the anterior, middle, and superior
alveolar nerves, which also innervate the adjacent
teeth.
Gingiva on the palatal (lingual) side of the same
teeth is innervated by the nasopalatine and the
greater palatine nerves
Innervation of the gingivae
the nasopalatine nerve innervates gingiva
associated with the incisor and canine teeth;
the greater palatine nerve supplies gingiva
associated with the remaining teeth
The gingiva associated with the (buccal) side of
the mandibular incisor, canine, and premolar
teeth is innervated by the mental branch of the
inferior alveolar nerve.
Gingiva on the buccal side of the mandibular
molar teeth is innervated by the buccal nerve,
which originates in the infratemporal fossa
from the mandibular nerve [V3].
Gingiva adjacent to the lingual surface of all
lower teeth is innervated by the lingual nerve