PTERYGOID NERVE Meaning and
Definition
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The pterygoid nerve is a term used in anatomy to refer to an important branch of the trigeminal nerve (cranial nerve V). Specifically, it is a motor branch that innervates the pterygoid muscles, a group of muscles located in the region of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) that are crucial for the movement and function of the jaw.
The pterygoid nerve emerges from the main trunk of the trigeminal nerve within the infratemporal fossa, a region situated below the temporal bone on the side of the skull. It descends anteriorly, passing through the pterygopalatine fossa and then dividing into two branches: the medial pterygoid nerve and the lateral pterygoid nerve.
The medial pterygoid nerve provides motor innervation to the medial pterygoid muscle, which helps in the elevation and lateral excursion of the mandible. The lateral pterygoid nerve, on the other hand, innervates the lateral pterygoid muscle, responsible for the protrusion and lateral movement of the mandible, as well as playing a role in TMJ stability.
Damage or dysfunction of the pterygoid nerve can result in various issues related to the function of the muscles it innervates, such as difficulty in chewing, restricted jaw movement, or pain in the TMJ region. Understanding the anatomy and function of the pterygoid nerve is crucial for dental and maxillofacial surgeons, as well as medical professionals dealing with conditions or injuries affecting the jaw and its associated structures.
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A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for PTERYGOID NERVE
- oterygoid nerve
- lterygoid nerve
- -terygoid nerve
- 0terygoid nerve
- prerygoid nerve
- pferygoid nerve
- pgerygoid nerve
- pyerygoid nerve
- p6erygoid nerve
- p5erygoid nerve
- ptwrygoid nerve
- ptsrygoid nerve
- ptdrygoid nerve
- ptrrygoid nerve
- pt4rygoid nerve
- pt3rygoid nerve
- pteeygoid nerve
- ptedygoid nerve
- ptefygoid nerve
- ptetygoid nerve
Etymology of PTERYGOID NERVE
The word "pterygoid" is derived from the Greek word "pteryx", which means "wing" or "fin", and the suffix "-oid", which means "resembling" or "like". "Nerve" originated from the Latin word "nervus", which refers to a sinew or tendon.
Therefore, "pterygoid nerve" refers to a nerve that is associated with or resembles a wing or fin. It is named so due to its proximity to the pterygoid muscle, a muscle in the human skull that is shaped like a wing or fin.
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