Which of the following is not supplied by the anterior division of mandibular nerve (V3) –
**Core Concept**
The anterior division of the mandibular nerve (V3) is a branch of the trigeminal nerve (cranial nerve V) that supplies the anterior (front) part of the lower face. It contains both sensory and motor fibers that innervate the muscles of mastication and provide sensation to the skin and mucous membranes of the lower face.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
The correct answer is a structure that is not supplied by the anterior division of the mandibular nerve. The anterior division of the mandibular nerve primarily supplies the muscles of mastication, including the medial pterygoid, lateral pterygoid, and the anterior part of the masseter muscle. It also provides sensation to the skin and mucous membranes of the lower face, including the lower lip, the skin of the chin, and the mucous membranes of the lower lip and the anterior two-thirds of the tongue. However, the sensory innervation of the posterior one-third of the tongue is provided by the glossopharyngeal nerve (cranial nerve IX).
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
* **Option A:** This option is incorrect because the anterior division of the mandibular nerve does supply the medial pterygoid muscle.
* **Option B:** This option is incorrect because the anterior division of the mandibular nerve does supply the lateral pterygoid muscle.
* **Option C:** This option is incorrect because the anterior division of the mandibular nerve does supply the anterior part of the masseter muscle.
**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
The anterior division of the mandibular nerve is often remembered as the "anterior division" because it supplies the anterior parts of the muscles of mastication and the skin and mucous membranes of the lower face. The posterior division, on the other hand, supplies the posterior parts of the muscles of mastication and the skin and mucous membranes of the posterior face.
**Correct Answer: C. The posterior one-third of the tongue.**