Muscles of Mastication
Muscles of Mastication
Muscle - Temporalis
Origin - Temporal fossa
Insertion - Coronoid process and ramus of mandible
Nerve - Trigeminal
Action on Mandible - Elevates; retracts
Muscle - Masseter
Origin - Lower border and medial surface of zygomatic arch
Insertion - Lateral surface of coronoid process, ramus and angle of mandible
Nerve - Trigeminal
Action on Mandible - Elevates (superficial part); retracts (deep part)
Muscle - Lateral pterygoid
Origin - Superior head from infratemporal surface of sphenoid; inferior head from lateral surface of lateral pterygoid plate of sphenoid
Insertion - Neck of mandible; articular disk and capsule of temporomandibular joint
Nerve - Trigeminal
Action on Mandible - Depresses (superior head); protracts (inferior head)
Muscle - Medial pterygoid
Origin - Tuber of maxilla (superficial head); medial surface of palatine bone (deep head)
Insertion - Medial surface of angle and ramus of mandible
Nerve - Trigeminal
Action on Mandible - Elevates; protracts
The jaws are opened by the lateral pterygoid muscle and medial pterygoid muscles.
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