Muscles of mastication

The four classical muscles of mastication elevate the mandible (closing the jaw) and move it forward/backward and laterally, facilitating biting and chewing. Other muscles are responsible for opening the jaw, namely the geniohyoid, mylohyoid, and digastric muscles (the lateral pterygoid may play a role).

Muscles of mastication
Mandibular division of the trigeminal nerve
Details
Nerve	Mandibular nerve
Identifiers
Latin	musculi masticatorii
MeSH	D008410
TA98	A04.1.04.001
TA2	2104
FMA	74060
Anatomical terms of muscle [edit on Wikidata]

Structure

The muscles are:

• The masseter (composed of the superficial and deep head)
• The temporalis (the sphenomandibularis is considered a part of the temporalis by some sources, and a distinct muscle by others)
• The medial pterygoid
• The lateral pterygoid

In humans, the mandible, or lower jaw, is connected to the temporal bone of the skull via the temporomandibular joint. This is an extremely complex joint which permits movement in all planes. The muscles of mastication originate on the skull and insert into the mandible, thereby allowing for jaw movements during contraction.

Each of these primary muscles of mastication is paired, with each side of the mandible possessing one of the four.

Innervation

Unlike most of the other facial muscles, which are innervated by the facial nerve (or CN VII), the muscles of mastication are innervated by the trigeminal nerve (or CN V). More specifically, they are innervated by the mandibular branch, or V₃. The mandibular nerve is both sensory and motor.

Development

Embryologically, the muscles of mastication are all derived from the first pharyngeal arch.

The muscles of facial expression, on the other hand, are derived from the second pharyngeal arch.

Function

The mandible is the only bone that moves during mastication and other activities, such as talking.

While these four muscles are the primary participants in mastication, other muscles help with the process, such as those of the tongue and the cheeks.

Prime mover	Movement[1][2]	Origin	Insertion
Masseter	Elevates mandible (closes mouth and aids chewing)	Zygomatic arch	Mandible (coronoid process and ramus)
Temporalis	Elevates and retracts mandible (closes mouth; pulls lower jaw in/backward)	Temporal bone	Mandible (coronoid process and ramus)
Lateral pterygoid	Depresses?, protracts, laterally moves mandible (opens mouth?; pushes lower jaw out/forward; moves lower jaw side to side)	Superior head: infratemporal surface of greater wing of sphenoid bone Inferior head: lateral pterygoid plate of sphenoid bone	Mandible; temporo-mandibular joint
Medial pterygoid	Elevates, protracts, laterally moves mandible (closes mouth; pushes lower jaw out/forward; moves lower jaw side-to-side)	Deep head: medial surface of lateral pterygoid plate and palatine bone Superficial head: tuberosity of maxilla	Mandible (medial ramus below the mandibular foramen)

Clinical significance

• Temporomandibular joint disorder
• Bruxism