The maxillary division of the trigeminal nerve is:

The maxillary division of the trigeminal nerve is:

• A. Sensory
• B. Motor
• C. Both
• D. None

Answer: (A)

The maxillary division is purely sensory. It carries general somatic afferent fibers that provide sensation from the midface—skin over the cheek and upper lip, parts of the nose, the upper teeth, and the palate—without any motor fibers. The motor Control for chewing comes from the mandibular division, which includes branchial motor fibers to the muscles of mastication. Because the maxillary division has no motor component, it does not control muscles, only sensation. This distinction underlies why dental anesthesia targeting the upper jaw numbs sensation rather than affecting muscle movement.

The maxillary division is purely sensory. It carries general somatic afferent fibers that provide sensation from the midface—skin over the cheek and upper lip, parts of the nose, the upper teeth, and the palate—without any motor fibers. The motor Control for chewing comes from the mandibular division, which includes branchial motor fibers to the muscles of mastication. Because the maxillary division has no motor component, it does not control muscles, only sensation. This distinction underlies why dental anesthesia targeting the upper jaw numbs sensation rather than affecting muscle movement.