Nervus pterygoideus lateralis
Nervus pterygoideus lateralis[edit | edit source]
The nervus pterygoideus lateralis is a branch of the mandibular nerve (V3) that innervates the pterygoid muscles in the head and neck region. It is an important nerve involved in the movement and function of the jaw.
Anatomy[edit | edit source]
The nervus pterygoideus lateralis originates from the mandibular nerve (V3), which is one of the three branches of the trigeminal nerve (V). It arises from the anterior division of the mandibular nerve and courses through the pterygopalatine fossa.
From the pterygopalatine fossa, the nervus pterygoideus lateralis descends and enters the pterygoid canal. It then divides into two branches: the medial pterygoid nerve and the lateral pterygoid nerve.
The medial pterygoid nerve innervates the medial pterygoid muscle, while the lateral pterygoid nerve innervates the lateral pterygoid muscle. These muscles are important for the movement of the jaw during chewing and speaking.
Function[edit | edit source]
The nervus pterygoideus lateralis plays a crucial role in the movement and function of the jaw. The medial pterygoid muscle, innervated by the medial pterygoid nerve, is responsible for elevating the mandible and closing the jaw. It works in coordination with the temporalis muscle and the masseter muscle to facilitate chewing and biting.
On the other hand, the lateral pterygoid muscle, innervated by the lateral pterygoid nerve, has a more complex function. It is involved in the protrusion, retrusion, and lateral movements of the mandible. It also plays a role in the opening of the jaw, working in opposition to the muscles that close the jaw.
Clinical Significance[edit | edit source]
Damage or dysfunction of the nervus pterygoideus lateralis can lead to various clinical manifestations. For example, injury to the medial pterygoid nerve can result in difficulty in closing the jaw and chewing properly. This can lead to problems with eating and speaking.
Similarly, damage to the lateral pterygoid nerve can cause issues with jaw movement, such as limited opening or deviation of the jaw during opening. This can result in pain, clicking sounds, and difficulty in performing normal jaw functions.
See Also[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
