Marginal Mandibular Branch of Facial Nerve
Ramus marginalis mandibulae nervi facialis
Read moreQuick Facts
Origin: Inferior division of the facial nerve.
Course: Runs inferiorly and anteriorly through the parotid gland to the region of the chin.
Branches: None.
Supply: Motor innervation to the muscles of facial expression located in the lower portion of the face and jaw.
Related parts of the anatomy
Origin
The marginal mandibular branch of the facial nerve originates when the inferior division of the facial nerve splits. This occurs in the substance of the parotid gland.
Course
From its origin, the marginal mandibular branch of the facial nerve runs inferiorly and anteriorly out of the parotid gland. It continues forward along the lower edge of the mandible until it terminates in the chin.
Branches
There are no named branches.
Supplied Structures
The marginal mandibular branch of the facial nerve is a motor nerve that innervates muscles of facial expression in the lower face. It sends branchial motor efferents.
The muscles innervated by the marginal mandibular branch include the orbicularis oris, depressor anguli oris, depressor labii inferioris, and mentalis muscles.
