A 26-year-old man presented to the office complaining of jaw pain while chewing food. The pain has been present for the last 6 months. The patient has been complaining of ear pain and decreased hearing in the left ear. His girlfriend noticed that he is grinding on his teeth while sleeping. Physical examination shows decreased ability to open the mouth fully, and pain during jaw movements. Otoscopic examination is clear without any findings. Involvement of which of the following nerves could explain the patient's symptoms?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Eductional Objective: Abnormal function of the temporomandibular joint and mandibular nerve hypersensitivity may lead to temporomandibular disorder. This would lead to pathological increased activity in the pterygoid muscles ( manifesting as jaw pain and dysfunction), and the tensor tympani muscle leading to ear pain or disrupted the hearing.

A 26-Year-Old Man Presented to the Office Complaining of Jaw