Multiple choice

Mastication is the first step of digestion which increases the surface area of foods. Which of the following statements regarding the mastication in humans is FALSE?

  1. The motor program continuously adapts to changes in food type or occlusion.

  2. The muscles of mastication are all innervated by the the facial nerve (or CN VII).

  3. The mandible is the only bone that moves during mastication.

  4. Mastication is mainly an unconscious act.

  5. The feedback from proprioceptive nerves in teeth and the temporomandibular joints govern the creation of neural pathways.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Unlike most of the other facial muscles, which are innervated by the facial nerve (or CN VII), the muscles of mastication are all innervated by the trigeminal nerve (or CN V). More specifically, they are innervated by the mandibular branch.

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