Which foramina does the mandibular nerve V3 pass through?

The mandibular nerve, also known as V3, is one of the three main divisions of the trigeminal nerve (cranial nerve V). It is responsible for sensory innervation to the lower face and motor functions such as mastication. The key point regarding the mandibular nerve is that it exits the skull through the foramen ovale, which is located in the sphenoid bone. This foramina serves as a passageway that allows the mandibular nerve to enter the infratemporal fossa, where it then branches out to provide sensory and motor functions.

In contrast, the foramen magnum is the large opening at the base of the skull through which the spinal cord passes, and it does not relate to the mandibular nerve. The foramen rotundum, on the other hand, serves as the exit point for the maxillary nerve (V2), and not the mandibular nerve. Lastly, the foramen spinosum primarily transmits the middle meningeal artery and does not accommodate any branches of the trigeminal nerve.

Thus, the passage of the mandibular nerve through the foramen ovale is a crucial anatomical detail that is significant for understanding trigeminal neuralgia, dental procedures, and surgical interventions