Muscles and Movements
What muscle elevates and retracts the mandible?
Temporalis (CN V3)
What cranial nerve provides general sensation to the anterior 2/3 of the tongue?
Lingual nerve (CN V3)
What type of fluid does the parotid gland primarily secrete?
Serous (watery, protein-rich)
The infratemporal fossa is located deep to what structure?
Ramus of the mandible
What condition causes facial muscle paralysis due to CN VII damage?
Bell’s palsy
Which extraocular muscle abducts the eye and what nerve innervates it?
Lateral rectus — CN VI (Abducens)
Which cranial nerve carries taste fibers from the anterior 2/3 of the tongue?
Chorda tympani (CN VII)
Which salivary gland’s duct opens near the 2nd maxillary molar?
Parotid gland
Name one structure that passes through the pterygopalatine fossa.
Maxillary artery branch or CN V2 branch
What type of deafness results from middle ear infection?
Conductive deafness
Name the four muscles of mastication and their common innervation.
Temporalis, Masseter, Medial & Lateral Pterygoid — all CN V3
What nerve exits the stylomastoid foramen and divides within the parotid gland?
Facial nerve (CN VII)
Name the nerve that provides parasympathetic fibers to the parotid gland.
Glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX)
What drains into the inferior nasal meatus?
Nasolacrimal duct (tears)
Why does parotid swelling cause ear and TMJ pain?
Shared auriculotemporal nerve sensory fibers
Which muscle is responsible for depressing the mandible and assisting in protrusion?
Lateral pterygoid (CN V3)
Which two cranial nerves form the pharyngeal plexus?
CN IX (Glossopharyngeal) & CN X (Vagus)
Which gland lies beneath the tongue and can absorb drugs rapidly?
Sublingual gland
What artery supplies most of the infratemporal fossa?
Maxillary artery
What clinical condition involves dislocation of the TMJ anteriorly?
TMJ dislocation (from excess lateral pterygoid contraction)
Describe the coordinated muscle actions and nerves involved in lateral movement of the mandible.
Contralateral pterygoids + ipsilateral temporalis/masseter (CN V3)
Trace the parasympathetic pathway from CN IX to the parotid gland
CN IX → Tympanic branch → Lesser petrosal nerve → Otic ganglion → Auriculotemporal nerve (CN V3) → Parotid gland
Explain Frey’s Syndrome and what causes it.
Misrouted auriculotemporal nerve fibers → sweating/flushing instead of salivation after parotid surgery
Describe the boundaries of the temporal fossa.
Superior & inferior temporal lines (superior/posterior); zygomatic bone (anterior); infratemporal crest (inferior)
What is the likely site of injury if a patient loses gag reflex and taste from posterior 1/3 of the tongue?
Glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX)