[Valentin's nerve, its role in the innervation of the chin region. Preliminary report]

Abstract

The mylo-hyoid nerve, a branch of the inferior alveolar nerve, gives rise to many motor and sensory branches. Motor branches innervate the anterior belly of the digastric muscle. Sensitive branches innervate the submandibular gland and also the skin just under the bony chin. Valentin's nerve, the terminal cutaneous branch of the myo-hyoid nerve (described by Valentin in 1843), can be damaged by horizontal mentoplasty (sliding-mentoplasty). Sensory disorders (hypoesthesia, anesthesia) can occur in case of Valentin's nerve injury without lesions to the mental nerve.