Structure and Origin - Medial pterygoid nerve is a slender branch of the mandibular nerve (CN V), which is itself a branch of the trigeminal nerve (CN V). - The medial pterygoid nerve supplies the medial pterygoid muscle, tensor tympani muscle, and tensor veli palatini muscle. - The tensor tympani muscle and tensor veli palatini muscle are innervated by the medial pterygoid nerve. - The tensor veli palati muscle is the only one not innervated by the pharyngeal plexus.

Course - The medial pterygoid nerve passes through the otic ganglion without synapsing. - It penetrates the deep surface of the medial pterygoid muscle. - The nerve issues 1-2 twigs to reach and innervate the tensor tympani muscle and tensor veli palatini muscle. - These twigs traverse the otic ganglion without synapsing.

Distribution - The medial pterygoid nerve supplies the medial pterygoid muscle. - The medial pterygoid nerve supplies the tensor tympani muscle. - The medial pterygoid nerve supplies the tensor veli palatini muscle. - The tensor veli palati muscle is innervated by the nerve to tensor veli palatini. - The tensor veli palati muscle is the only one not innervated by the pharyngeal plexus.

References - Standring, Susan (2020). Gray's Anatomy: The Anatomical Basis of Clinical Practice (42nd ed.). New York. p. 680. ISBN 978-0-7020-7707-4. OCLC 1201341621. - Barral, Jean-Pierre; Croibier, Alain (2009). 17 - Mandibular nerve. Manual Therapy for the Cranial Nerves. Churchill Livingstone. pp. 139–146. doi:10.1016/B978-0-7020-3100-7.50020-3. ISBN 978-0-7020-3100-7.

Summary - The medial pterygoid nerve is a branch of the mandibular nerve, which is part of the trigeminal nerve. - It supplies the medial pterygoid muscle, tensor tympani muscle, and tensor veli palatini muscle. - The tensor tympani muscle and tensor veli palatini muscle are innervated by the medial pterygoid nerve. - The tensor veli palati muscle is the only one not innervated by the pharyngeal plexus. - The nerve passes through the otic ganglion without synapsing and issues twigs to reach its target muscles.