What is the physiology of the lingual branch of the mandibular nerve (V3) in burning mouth syndrome (BMS)?

Updated: Jan 22, 2018
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Pertinent to burning mouth syndrome (BMS), the lingual branch of the mandibular nerve (V3) supplies the anterior two-thirds of the tongue. It has superficial and deep fibers, which have small receptive fields and low thresholds, creating a highly sensitive sensory field. Pain and temperature in the mouth are sensed by both simple free nerve endings and by more organized nonmyelinated endings. Sensory innervation of the periodontal ligaments provides proprioceptive information about pressure on the teeth and oral stereognosis (perceiving the form of an object) as well as jaw opening and salivation reflexes.

Source Article: Burning Mouth Syndrome: Anatomy and Physiology

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