Which nerves are anesthetized by palatal local infiltration?

• A. Terminal branches of nasopalatine and greater palatine nerves
• B. Inferior alveolar nerve
• C. Infraorbital nerve
• D. Mental nerve

Answer: (A)

Palatal infiltration works by blocking the nerves that actually run in the palate itself. The nasopalatine nerve and the greater palatine nerve are the main players here; they travel through the incisive canal and the greater palatine canal to supply the anterior and posterior hard palate and the overlying palatal mucosa. Depositing anesthetic near where these nerves give off their terminal branches numbs the palatal tissues in the targeted area.

The other nerves don’t supply the palatal mucosa in this region: the inferior alveolar nerve serves the mandible; the infraorbital nerve supplies the maxillary face and some teeth but not the palatal mucosa; the mental nerve is a branch of the inferior alveolar nerve and supplies the chin and lower lip.