Anatomic variability of long buccal nerve demands caution during surgery. Discuss

Long buccal nerve, a branch of the mandibular division of trigeminal nerve emerges deep to the mandibular ramus and provides sensory innervation to the buccal gingiva and mucosa of the cheeks. Long buccal nerve gives 4 to 8 branches when it crosses the external oblique ridge and so incision along the external oblique ridge must be carried out with precaution to avoid damage to the nerve. In Turner's variation, the long buccal nerve branches off the inferior alveolar nerve within the mandible and arises from a foramen in the retromolar fossa. Surgical trauma in this region may lead to paraesthesia in the retromolar- canine buccal gingiva.