Which division supplies the red area and is a mixed nerve (contains motor fibers)?

• A. Ophthalmic (V1)
• B. Maxillary (V2)
• C. Mandibular (V3)
• D. Mixed nerve

Answer: (C)

Divisions of the trigeminal nerve differ in whether they carry motor fibers. The mandibular division is unique because it supplies both sensory innervation to the lower face and oral region and motor innervation to the muscles of mastication (such as the masseter, temporalis, and pterygoids) as well as to small motor branches like the mylohyoid and anterior digastric. This combination makes it a mixed nerve.

The red area on the diagram is served by this division, so it makes sense that the nerve involved has motor fibers in addition to sensory fibers. In contrast, the ophthalmic and maxillary divisions are purely sensory and do not carry motor fibers, so they cannot account for a mixed nerve supplying that region. The description “mixed nerve” fits the mandibular division, which is why it is the correct choice.