Palatal Muscle Innervation — MFDS Part 1 MCQ

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HardAnatomy (Head & Neck)Palatal Muscle InnervationMFDS Part 1

Following an infratemporal fossa injury distal to the foramen ovale, branchial motor fibres travelling in the mandibular division of the trigeminal nerve are interrupted, while pharyngeal plexus function remains intact. Palatal elevation is symmetrical, but active opening of the pharyngotympanic tube is impaired. Which palatal muscle has been denervated?

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Correct answer: D — Tensor veli palatini

The denervated muscle is the tensor veli palatini. It is the palatal muscle supplied by branchial motor fibres from the mandibular division of the trigeminal nerve (V3), conventionally via the nerve to medial pterygoid. It tenses the soft palate and assists active opening of the pharyngotympanic tube. Levator veli palatini is chiefly responsible for palatal elevation, explaining why elevation remains intact when the pharyngeal plexus is preserved. Levator veli palatini, palatoglossus, musculus uvulae and palatopharyngeus receive their conventional principal motor supply through the pharyngeal plexus, predominantly from the vagus nerve. Thus, among the listed muscles, only tensor veli palatini is denervated by the described V3 motor lesion.

Reference: Neuroanatomical organization: the palato-pharyngeal complex as a sensory-motor hub, section on efferent innervation, 2026. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41982253/