Which of the following muscles is supplied by mandibular nerve?
**Core Concept**
The mandibular nerve, a branch of the trigeminal nerve (cranial nerve V), is responsible for supplying the muscles of mastication, as well as other muscles in the lower face. This includes the muscles involved in movements of the mandible, such as the jaw.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
The mandibular nerve provides motor innervation to the muscles of mastication, including the medial pterygoid, lateral pterygoid, and masseter muscles. This is achieved through the mandibular division of the trigeminal nerve, which carries both sensory and motor fibers. The motor fibers synapse in the pterygoid and temporalis muscles, allowing for coordinated movement of the jaw.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
* **Option A:** This option is not relevant to the question, and does not provide a correct or incorrect answer.
* **Option B:** Not applicable, as this option is missing.
* **Option D:** This option is also not relevant to the question, and does not provide a correct or incorrect answer.
**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
It is essential to remember that the mandibular nerve supplies the muscles of mastication, which are responsible for movements of the mandible. This is an important clinical correlation, as damage to these nerves can result in difficulty chewing or moving the jaw.
**Correct Answer:** C. Masseter muscle is supplied by the mandibular nerve.