NERVUS MASTICATORIUS Meaning and
Definition
-
The term "nervus masticatorius" refers to the trigeminal nerve, which is the fifth cranial nerve and the largest cranial nerve in the human body. The trigeminal nerve is responsible for sensory information and motor functions of the face, including the muscles involved in chewing or mastication.
The nervus masticatorius is a mixed nerve, which means it contains both sensory and motor fibers. It originates from the trigeminal ganglion, located within the skull, and branches out into three main divisions: the ophthalmic nerve, the maxillary nerve, and the mandibular nerve. The mandibular nerve, also known as the nervus masticatorius, is the largest of these divisions and provides sensory information from the lower face, including the jaw, teeth, and tongue.
In terms of motor function, the nervus masticatorius innervates the muscles involved in chewing, biting, and swallowing. These muscles include the temporalis, masseter, medial and lateral pterygoids, and mylohyoid. It also supplies motor fibers to the tensor tympani and tensor veli palatini muscles, which are involved in the function of the middle ear and soft palate, respectively.
Overall, the nervus masticatorius plays a crucial role in both the sensory perception and motor control of the face, particularly in relation to chewing and speaking. Any damage or dysfunction to the trigeminal nerve can lead to various issues, such as facial pain, difficulty chewing, and an altered sense of touch in the face.
-
Masticator nerve, a very short, chiefly motor, branch of the mandibular, dividing at once into the masseteric, temporal, buccinator, and pterygoid nerves.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for NERVUS MASTICATORIUS
Etymology of NERVUS MASTICATORIUS
The word nervus masticatorius is derived from Latin.
- Nervus means nerve in Latin.
- Masticatorius comes from the Latin word masticare, which means to chew.
Therefore, nervus masticatorius translates to chewing nerve.
