Which nerve provides sensory innervation to the soft palate?

The lesser palatine nerve is responsible for supplying sensory innervation to the soft palate. This nerve branches from the maxillary division of the trigeminal nerve (V2) and specifically targets the soft tissues of the soft palate and the uvula, allowing it to transmit sensory information such as touch, temperature, and pain from this area.

In contrast, the greater palatine nerve primarily innervates the hard palate, providing sensory information from the anterior part of the palate back to the incisive papilla. The nasopalatine nerve specifically serves the anterior portion of the hard palate, particularly the tissue surrounding the incisors. The posterior superior alveolar (PSA) nerve mainly supplies sensation to the maxillary molars and does not directly provide innervation to the palate. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for effective anesthesia and pain management in dental procedures involving the palate.