The trigeminal motor nucleus in the mid pons contains the motor neurons that supply the muscles of chewing. Its fibres leave in the motor root of cranial nerve V and travel with the mandibular division. It receives input from both sides of the motor cortex.
| Location | Mid pontine tegmentum, medial to the principal sensory nucleus of the trigeminal nerve |
|---|---|
| Parts |
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| Connections |
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| Blood Supply | Basilar artery pontine branches; Superior cerebellar artery |
Controls the masseter, temporalis, medial and lateral pterygoids, mylohyoid, anterior belly of digastric, tensor tympani and tensor veli palatini.
A unilateral lesion weakens the jaw muscles on the same side, so the jaw deviates toward the weak side on opening. Because it has bilateral cortical input, a one-sided cortical stroke rarely affects chewing. An exaggerated jaw jerk suggests an upper motor neuron lesion above the pons, as in pseudobulbar palsy.
Weak chewing and jaw deviation toward the affected side from a lesion of the nucleus or motor root.
An exaggerated jaw reflex from bilateral upper motor neuron damage above the trigeminal motor nucleus.
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