Nasopalatine nerve

The nasopalatine nerve is the largest of the medial posterior superior nasal nerves.

Structure

Course

It exits the pterygopalatine fossa through the sphenopalatine foramen to enter the nasal cavity. It passes across the roof of the nasal cavity below the orifice of the sphenoidal sinus to reach the posterior part of the nasal septum. It passes anteroinferiorly upon the nasal septum along a groove upon the vomer (the so-called vomerine groove or Scarpa's sulcus), running between the periosteum and mucous membrane of the lower part of the nasal septum. It then passes through the hard palate by descending through the incisive canal to reach the roof of the mouth.

Distribution

The nasopalatine nerve provides sensory innervation to the posteroinferior portion of the nasal septum, and the anterior-most portion of the hard palate (i.e. the gingiva/mucous membrane of the palate just posterior to the upper incisors).

Communications

The nasopalatine nerve communicates with the corresponding nerve of the opposite side and with the greater palatine nerve.