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Masticatory nucleus --> motor nucleus of trigeminal nerve

(Science: anatomy, nerve) a group of motor neurons innervating the muscles of mastication (masseter, temporalis, internal and external pterygoid muscles) and the musculi tensor tympani and tensor veli palatini. The nucleus lies in the upper pontine tegmentum medial to the main sensory nucleus of the trigeminus.

Synonym: nucleus motorius nervi trigemini, masticatory nucleus, motor nucleus of trigeminus, nucleus masticatorius.