Walsh & Hoyt: Involvement of the Maxillary Division of the Trigeminal Nerve

Damage to the maxillary division (V2) of the trigeminal nerve produces anesthesia or hypesthesia of the skin lateral to the nose, the mucous membrane of the maxillary antrum and lower part of the nose, the upper teeth and gums, the palate anterior to the palatopharyngeal arch, and occasionally the lower part of the cornea. As detailed above, the palatine and posterior superior alveolar branches arise in the pterygopalatine fossa before the origin of the infraorbital nerve and supply sensation to the palate and the two posterior upper molars and adjacent gingiva. Thus, when a sensory deficit is detected over the cheek, testing sensation in these areas helps to differentiate a lesion of the infraorbital nerve from more proximal pathology.