Eyelid
Marcus Gunn Jaw-Wink Syndrome
A congenital ptosis in which the eyelid lifts when the jaw moves — an abnormal connection between the chewing and eyelid-lifting nerves.
Medically reviewed by Tamara R. Fountain, MDOculoplastic SurgeonLast updated June 2026
Part of our complete guide to Ptosis (Droopy Eyelid) — this page covers Marcus Gunn jaw-wink ptosis in depth.
Marcus Gunn Jaw Wink
Marcus Gunn jaw-wink ptosis is an example of synkinesis — an abnormal neural connection between two muscle groups that are normally unrelated. A branch of the trigeminal nerve (CN V, which supplies the pterygoid jaw muscles) misdirects into the branch of the oculomotor nerve (CN III) that lifts the upper eyelid. The result: the ptotic lid rises whenever the jaw opens or moves laterally.
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