Which nerve supplies the masseter muscle, a primary muscle involved in chewing?

Which nerve supplies the masseter muscle, a primary muscle involved in chewing?

• A. Facial nerve
• B. Vagus nerve
• C. Trigeminal nerve
• D. Glossopharyngeal nerve

Answer: (C)

The nerve signal to the masseter comes from the trigeminal nerve, specifically its mandibular division. The trigeminal nerve is the primary nerve of mastication, with the motor fibers that supply the chewing muscles traveling in V3. The masseteric branch, arising from V3, reaches the masseter to drive jaw elevation during chewing. The other nerves listed don’t innervate these muscles: the facial nerve powers facial expression, while the vagus and glossopharyngeal nerves control other muscles in the throat and tongue region and related functions.

The nerve signal to the masseter comes from the trigeminal nerve, specifically its mandibular division. The trigeminal nerve is the primary nerve of mastication, with the motor fibers that supply the chewing muscles traveling in V3. The masseteric branch, arising from V3, reaches the masseter to drive jaw elevation during chewing. The other nerves listed don’t innervate these muscles: the facial nerve powers facial expression, while the vagus and glossopharyngeal nerves control other muscles in the throat and tongue region and related functions.