Home

Mentalis

Mentalis is a term used in anatomy to refer to structures associated with the chin, most notably the musculus mentalis and the nervus mentalis.

Musculus mentalis is a small, paired facial muscle located at the tip of the chin. It originates

Nervus mentalis is a sensory nerve that arises as a branch of the inferior alveolar nerve, itself

In medical terminology, mentalis serves as the Latin adjective meaning “of the chin,” and appears in the

from
the
below
the
incisor
region
of
the
mandible
and
inserts
into
the
skin
of
the
chin.
Its
actions
include
elevating
and
protruding
the
lower
lip
and
producing
wrinkles
of
the
chin,
contributing
to
expressions
such
as
pouting.
The
muscle
is
innervated
by
the
facial
nerve
(cranial
nerve
VII),
typically
through
the
marginal
mandibular
branch.
Blood
supply
comes
from
arteries
in
the
facial
region,
including
branches
of
the
facial
and
submental
arteries.
a
branch
of
the
mandibular
division
(V3)
of
the
trigeminal
nerve.
It
exits
the
mandible
via
the
foramen
mentale
to
supply
sensation
to
the
skin
of
the
chin
and
the
mucosa
of
the
lower
lip.
Clinically,
the
nerve
is
relevant
in
dental
anesthesia
and
surgical
procedures
in
the
lower
face;
injury
or
anesthesia
of
the
nervus
mentalis
can
result
in
numbness
or
altered
sensation
in
its
distribution.
names
of
both
the
muscle
and
the
nerve.
The
term
is
primarily
used
in
human
anatomy
and
physiology
to
describe
structures
associated
with
the
lower
facial
region.