Test the motor function of the mandibular division of the trigeminal nerve

Question 1

Describe and demonstrate how to test the function of the mandibular division of the trigeminal nerve

Answer 1

• Placing your fingers just lateral to the temple area, ask the patient to clench their teeth, you’ll be able feel the temporalis muscle as you palpate it. The temporalis muscle is innervated by the mandibular division of the trigeminal nerve
• Repeat this but placing your fingers just anteriorly and superiorly to the temporomandibular joint and ask the patient to clench their teeth again. The masseter muscle is innervated by teh mandibular division of the mandibular nerve