Question:
Which of the following is not supplied by the anterior division of the mandibular nerve (V3)?
Which of the following is not supplied by the anterior division of the mandibular nerve (V3)?
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The nerve to one pterygoid leaves the main V3 trunk, not the anterior division.
Updated On: Jun 24, 2026
- Temporalis
- Medial pterygoid
- Lateral pterygoid
- Masseter
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Verified By Collegedunia
The Correct Option is B
Solution and Explanation
Step 1: The mandibular nerve (V3) is the only division of the trigeminal nerve that carries motor fibres to the muscles of mastication, and it divides into a small anterior division and a large posterior division just below the foramen ovale.
Step 2: The anterior division of V3 is mainly motor. It gives the masseteric nerve (to masseter), deep temporal nerves (to temporalis), the nerve to lateral pterygoid, and one sensory branch, the buccal nerve.
Step 3: The nerve to medial pterygoid arises from the main trunk of V3 (not from the anterior division) before the trunk splits. This nerve also supplies tensor tympani and tensor veli palatini.
Step 4: Therefore, of the four listed muscles, temporalis, lateral pterygoid and masseter are all supplied by the anterior division, while the medial pterygoid is supplied by the main trunk and is the correct answer to this 'not supplied' question.
Conclusion: The medial pterygoid is not supplied by the anterior division of V3, so option B is correct.
Step 2: The anterior division of V3 is mainly motor. It gives the masseteric nerve (to masseter), deep temporal nerves (to temporalis), the nerve to lateral pterygoid, and one sensory branch, the buccal nerve.
Step 3: The nerve to medial pterygoid arises from the main trunk of V3 (not from the anterior division) before the trunk splits. This nerve also supplies tensor tympani and tensor veli palatini.
Step 4: Therefore, of the four listed muscles, temporalis, lateral pterygoid and masseter are all supplied by the anterior division, while the medial pterygoid is supplied by the main trunk and is the correct answer to this 'not supplied' question.
Conclusion: The medial pterygoid is not supplied by the anterior division of V3, so option B is correct.
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