Trigeminal motor nucleus
Trigeminal Motor Nucleus
The Trigeminal Motor Nucleus (pronunciation: tri-jem-i-nal mo-tor nu-cle-us) is a component of the Trigeminal nerve, which is the fifth cranial nerve. It is responsible for the motor functions of the muscles of mastication, the tensor tympani, tensor veli palatini, mylohyoid and the anterior belly of the digastric.
Etymology
The term "Trigeminal" originates from the Latin words "tri" meaning three and "geminus" meaning twin. This is due to the nerve's three major branches: the ophthalmic nerve, the maxillary nerve, and the mandibular nerve. The term "Motor Nucleus" refers to a collection of neurons in the brainstem that is responsible for motor function.
Function
The Trigeminal Motor Nucleus controls the muscles involved in chewing and swallowing. It receives signals from the cerebral cortex and the brainstem, which it then sends to the muscles of mastication. This allows for the coordination of complex movements needed for chewing and swallowing.
Related Terms
- Trigeminal nerve: The fifth cranial nerve, which the Trigeminal Motor Nucleus is a part of.
- Mastication: The process of chewing food.
- Brainstem: The part of the brain that connects the cerebrum with the spinal cord.
- Cerebral cortex: The outer layer of the cerebrum, involved in many complex brain functions.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Trigeminal motor nucleus
- Wikipedia's article - Trigeminal motor nucleus
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