The word "nervus infraorbitalis" refers to a nerve that runs below the eye socket. Its spelling can be broken down using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) as follows: /ˈnɜrvəs ˌɪnfrəˈɔːrbɪtəlɪs/. This means that the first syllable is pronounced with a short "er" sound, followed by a stressed "vəs" syllable. The second part of the word is broken down into three syllables with the stress on the second syllable, pronounced with a long "o" sound. The final syllable is pronounced with a short "i" sound, followed by "lɪs."
The term "nervus infraorbitalis" refers to a specific nerve found in the head and face region of humans and some animals. Originating from the maxillary division of the trigeminal nerve, the largest cranial nerve, the nervus infraorbitalis is a sensory branch that serves the lower eyelid, upper lip, and skin of the cheek.
Running a course within the infraorbital canal, the nervus infraorbitalis emerges at the infraorbital foramen, situated just below the eye socket or orbit. From this point, it branches out into multiple smaller nerves that innervate the corresponding regions. It carries sensory information from these areas back to the brain, allowing individuals to experience touch, temperature, pressure, and pain.
Damage or injury to the nervus infraorbitalis can result in various symptoms such as numbness, tingling, or even loss of sensation in the lower eyelid, upper lip, and cheek. This can significantly impact an individual's ability to feel sensations from these areas or respond appropriately to external stimuli.
Understanding the anatomy and function of the nervus infraorbitalis is essential in medical and dental fields, particularly for maxillofacial surgeons, neurologists, and dentists. It plays a vital role in various diagnostic and treatment procedures, such as dental anesthesia, nerve blocks, and surgeries involving the face and oral region, ensuring patient comfort and minimizing complications.
Infraorbital nerve, the continuation of the maxillary nerve after it has entered the orbit, transversing the infraorbital canal to reach the face; in the infraorbital canal it gives off the middle and anterior superior alveolar rami, or the middle and anterior superior dental nerves, which descend in bony canals to the alveolar arch, supplying the premolar and the incisor and canine teeth.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The term "nervus infraorbitalis" is derived from Latin. Here is a breakdown of its etymology:
1. Nervus: This Latin word translates to "nerve" in English. It comes from the Proto-Indo-European root *n̥h₁nér- which means "strong" or "vigorous".
2. Infra-: In Latin, "infra-" means "below" or "beneath". It is a prefix used to indicate something being situated lower or underneath.
3. Orbitalis: This term is derived from the Latin word "orbis", meaning "circle" or "disk", which refers to the shape of the eye socket or orbit. The suffix "-alis" denotes "related to" or "pertaining to".
So, when combined, "nervus infraorbitalis" essentially means "the nerve located below the orbit".