Virginia Permanent Makeup (PMU) State Board Practice Exam 2026 – Complete All-in-One Guide for Exam Success

The trigeminal nerve, also known as cranial nerve V, is primarily responsible for sensory and motor functions in the face. It has three major branches, each providing sensation to different areas of the face and controlling the muscles involved in chewing.

The chewing muscles, specifically the masseter, temporalis, and pterygoid muscles, are all innervated by the motor fibers of the trigeminal nerve. These muscles enable the complex movements necessary for mastication (chewing), allowing us to process food. This connection underscores the importance of the trigeminal nerve in facilitating not only sensory experiences such as touch and pain in the facial region but also in controlling the motor aspects of jaw movement.

In contrast, other options relate to functions governed by different cranial nerves: facial expression muscles are innervated by the facial nerve (VII), vocal muscles are controlled by the vagus nerve (X), and eye movement muscles are primarily managed by the oculomotor nerve (III), along with the trochlear (IV) and abducens (VI) nerves. This differentiation emphasizes the specialized roles of various cranial nerves in muscular control throughout the body.