Which foramina does the mandibular nerve V3 pass through?

The mandibular nerve, which is the third division of the trigeminal nerve (V3), passes through the foramen ovale. This foramen is located in the sphenoid bone and is the key exit point for the mandibular nerve as it leaves the skull to innervate various structures in the lower face, including the muscles of mastication and parts of the oral cavity.

Understanding the anatomical relationships is crucial here. The foramen ovale is particularly significant because it provides passage not just for the mandibular nerve, but also for accessory meningeal vessels. After traversing the foramen ovale, the mandibular nerve then splits into several branches that serve important functions in sensation and motor control.

In contrast, the foramen magnum primarily allows for the passage of the spinal cord and associated structures, the foramen rotundum serves the maxillary nerve (V2), and the foramen spinosum is associated with the middle meningeal artery. Thus, their relevance is specific to other cranial nerves or vascular structures, making them unrelated to the pathway of the mandibular nerve V3.