From Mandibular nerve TA A14.2.01.066 | Dorlands/Elsevier n_05/12566554 FMA 53056 | |
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Innervates Medial pterygoid, tensor veli palatini, tensor tympani Latin Nervus pterygoideus internusnervus pterygoideus medialis | ||
The medial pterygoid nerve (or internal pterygoid nerve) is a branch of the mandibular nerve that innervates the medial pterygoid muscle, tensor veli palatini and tensor tympani.
Contents
Structure
The nerve to the medial pterygoid muscle is a slender branch of the mandibular nerve which enters the deep surface of the muscle; it gives off one or two filaments to the otic ganglion.
The nerve provides physical support for the otic ganglion, but is neurologically distinct.
Branches
Additionally, the tensor veli palatini is innervated by the nerve to tensor veli palatini, a branch of the nerve to the medial pterygoid. Of the five paired skeletal muscles to the soft palate, tensor veli palati is the only muscle not innervated by the pharyngeal plexus.
References
Medial pterygoid nerve Wikipedia(Text) CC BY-SA