Which nerve provides motor innervation to the tensor veli palatini?

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The key idea is that the tensor veli palatini gets motor signals from a branch of the trigeminal nerve, not from the nerves that supply most other soft palate muscles. Specifically, it is innervated by the mandibular division of the trigeminal nerve (V3) via the nerve to the tensor veli palatini, a branch that comes from the V3 trunk.

This arrangement fits the function of the muscle: the tensor veli palatini tenses the soft palate and helps open the auditory (pharyngotympanic) tube during swallowing or yawning to equalize middle ear pressure. Most other palate muscles are supplied by the vagus nerve (via the pharyngeal plexus) or, in some cases, by other cranial nerves, but not by V3. Hence, the mandibular division of the trigeminal nerve is the correct motor source for this muscle.