Which lesser palatine nerve innervates the mucous membrane of the soft palate?

• A. Middle palatine nerve
• B. Posterior palatine nerve
• C. Anterior palatine nerve
• D. Greater palatine nerve

Answer: (A)

The soft palate’s mucous membrane is supplied by the lesser palatine nerves, which travel with the greater palatine nerve to innervate the soft palate and related structures. Among these branches, the middle palatine nerve serves the central portion of the soft palate mucosa, making it the nerve that innervates that specific region. The anterior palatine nerve tends to relate to areas toward the hard palate’s front, and the posterior palatine nerve covers the more posterior soft palate/tonsillar region, while the greater palatine nerve mainly supplies the hard palate. So, the middle palatine nerve best fits the innervation of the soft palate mucosa.