One branch of the posterior superior nasal branches (trigeminal, maxillary branch), longer and larger than the others, is named the nasopalatine nerve (sometimes called the long sphenopalatine nerve).
It descends to the roof of the mouth through the incisive canal and communicates with the corresponding nerve of the opposite side and with the greater palatine nerve.
It supplies the palatal structures around the upper central and lateral incisors and the canines (the upper front six teeth).
It also furnishes a few filaments to the mucous membrane of the nasal septum.
The medial superior posterior nasal branches of maxillary nerve usually branches from the nasopalatine nerve.
This article was originally based on an entry from a public domain edition of Gray's Anatomy. As such, some of the information contained herein may be outdated. Please edit the article if this is the case, and feel free to remove this notice when it is no longer relevant.
