The tip of the nose is supplied by which of the following nerve
**Core Concept**
The tip of the nose is supplied by a specific branch of the trigeminal nerve, which is responsible for sensory innervation of the face. The trigeminal nerve is a complex nerve that has three main divisions: ophthalmic (V1), maxillary (V2), and mandibular (V3). Each division has its own set of branches that provide sensory innervation to specific areas of the face.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
The tip of the nose is supplied by the infraorbital nerve, which is a branch of the maxillary nerve (V2). The infraorbital nerve provides sensory innervation to the skin of the lower eyelid, the side of the nose, and the upper lip. This nerve is formed by the union of the anterior and posterior superior alveolar nerves, which are branches of the maxillary nerve. The infraorbital nerve then continues forward as the infraorbital artery and vein, which supply the skin of the nose and upper lip.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
**Option A:** This option is incorrect because the nasal branches of the external carotid artery are responsible for supplying blood to the nose, not the sensory innervation.
**Option B:** This option is incorrect because the facial nerve (cranial nerve VII) is responsible for the motor innervation of the muscles of facial expression, not the sensory innervation of the tip of the nose.
**Option C:** This option is incorrect because the trigeminal nerve (cranial nerve V) has three main divisions, but the tip of the nose is not supplied by the ophthalmic or mandibular divisions.
**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
A mnemonic to remember the three main divisions of the trigeminal nerve is "Ocular, Maxillary, Mandibular" (OMM), which stands for the ophthalmic (V1), maxillary (V2), and mandibular (V3) divisions. This can help you remember the correct division that supplies the tip of the nose.
**Correct Answer:** C.