Medial pterygoid nerve

Structure

Origin

The medial pterygoid nerve is a slender branch of the mandibular nerve (CN V₃) (itself a branch of the trigeminal nerve (CN V)).

Course

It passes through the otic ganglion (without synapsing). It penetrates the deep surface of the medial pterygoid muscle. It issues 1-2 twigs which traverse the otic ganglion (without synapsing) to reach and innervate the tensor tympani muscle, and tensor veli palatini muscle.

Distribution

The medial pterygoid nerve supplies the medial pterygoid muscle, tensor tympani muscle, 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.