Multiple choice

Mastication or chewing is the process by which food is crushed and ground by teeth. Which of the following statements does NOT characterise mastication in humans?

  1. The feedback from proprioceptive nerves in teeth and the temporomandibular joints govern the creation of neural pathways.

  2. Mastication is mainly an unconscious act.

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

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

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