Cranial Nerves
 
 

Jaw Jerk

 
 
 
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Overview

  • The jaw jerk is also known as the masseter inhibitory reflex; it involves the mandibular branch of the trigeminal nerve as both its afferent and efferent arms.

    • How to Elicit

    • Place a finger horizontally over the chin with the mouth open, and then strike this finger with a tendon hammer. 
  • Warn the patient beforehand!
  • While a slight jerk may be normal, an exaggerated jerk is a sign of an upper motor neuron lesion.

    • Interpretation

    • Slight / absent jerkNormal, mandibular nerve (V3) lesion
    • Exaggerated jerk (± clonus)Upper motor neuron lesion

Jaw Jerk Pathway

  • Receptors
    Muscle spindle within mandible
     
     
    Foramen
    Foramen ovale
    V3
    Mandibular branch
     
    Trigeminal Ganglion
     
     
    Mesencephalic nucleus
    Midbrain, pons
     
     
    Trigeminal Motor Nucleus
    Upper pons
     
    V3
    Mandibular branch
    Foramen
    Foramen ovale
     
     
    Muscle
    Masseter
 
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