Australian Dental Council (ADC) Test 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

The buccinator muscle is not supplied by the mandibular division of the trigeminal nerve, but rather by the facial nerve (CN VII). The buccinator is primarily responsible for compressing the cheeks against the teeth during activities like chewing, which helps prevent food from accumulating in the buccal vestibule. Its innervation by the facial nerve distinguishes it from other muscles of mastication, which are all supplied by the mandibular division.

In contrast, the anterior part of the digastric muscle, masseter muscle, and mylohyoid muscle are all innervated by branches of the mandibular division of the trigeminal nerve. The masseter, a major muscle involved in mastication, is supplied by the masseteric nerve, while the anterior digastric and mylohyoid receive innervation from the mylohyoid nerve, which branches off the inferior alveolar nerve (another branch of the mandibular division). Understanding the specific nerve pathways and innervations helps clarify the functional relationships of these muscles in the context of jaw movement and facial expressions.