The medial pterygoid nerve (nerve to medial pterygoid, or internal pterygoid nerve) is a nerve of the head. It is a branch of the

mandibular nerve In neuroanatomy, the mandibular nerve (V) is the largest of the three divisions of the trigeminal nerve, the fifth Cranial nerves, cranial nerve (CN V). Unlike the other divisions of the trigeminal nerve (ophthalmic nerve, maxillary nerve) which ...

(CN V₃). It supplies the

medial pterygoid muscle The medial pterygoid muscle (or internal pterygoid muscle) is a thick, quadrilateral muscle of the face. It is supplied by the mandibular branch of the trigeminal nerve (V). It is important in mastication (chewing). Structure The medial pter ...

, the tensor veli palatini muscle, and the

tensor tympani muscle The tensor tympani is a muscle within the middle ear, located in the bony canal above the bony part of the auditory tube, and connects to the malleus bone. Its role is to dampen loud sounds, such as those produced from chewing, shouting, or thund ...

Structure

Origin

The medial pterygoid nerve is a slender branch of the

(CN V₃) (itself a branch of the

trigeminal nerve In neuroanatomy, the trigeminal nerve (literal translation, lit. ''triplet'' nerve), also known as the fifth cranial nerve, cranial nerve V, or simply CN V, is a cranial nerve responsible for Sense, sensation in the face and motor functions ...

(CN V)).

Course

It passes through the otic ganglion (without synapsing). It penetrates the deep surface of the

. It issues 1-2 twigs which traverse the otic ganglion (without synapsing) to reach and innervate the

, and tensor veli palatini muscle.

Distribution

The medial pterygoid nerve supplies the

, and tensor veli palatini muscle (via the nerve to tensor veli palatini). The tensor veli palati muscle is the only of the five paired skeletal muscles to the soft palate not innervated by the pharyngeal plexus.

References

{{Authority control Mandibular nerve