A patient suffers trauma to the infraorbital region. Which nerve is most likely affected?

Correct answer: C. Infraorbital nerve (branch of V2)

• A. The mental nerve exits at the mental foramen in the LOWER jaw — not the infraorbital region.
• B. The supraorbital nerve exits ABOVE the orbit — trauma below the orbit would not affect this nerve.
• C. The infraorbital nerve exits through the infraorbital foramen just below the orbit and provides sensory innervation to the lower eyelid, cheek, lateral nose, and upper lip. Trauma to this region (e.g., zygomatic fracture) commonly injures this nerve, causing paresthesia of those areas.
• D. CN VII provides motor innervation to facial muscles. The sensory paresthesia after infraorbital trauma is specifically the infraorbital nerve (V2).