What are the major muscles of mastication?

What are the major muscles of mastication?

Muscles

• Temporalis Muscle.
• Medial Pterygoid.
• Lateral Pterygoid.
• Masseter.
• Accessory Muscles of Mastication.

What are the 4 main muscles of mastication?

The muscles of mastication are a group of muscles that consist of the temporalis, masseter, medial pterygoid and lateral pterygoid muscles. The temporalis muscle is situated in the temporal fossa, the masseter muscle in the cheek area, while the medial and lateral pterygoids lie in the infratemporal fossa.

Where are the muscles of mastication?

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.

What is the most superficial muscle of mastication?

superficial masseter
Superficial Muscles of Mastication The superficial muscles group is comprised of three muscles: the medial pterygoid, lateral pterygoid (superior and inferior heads), and superficial masseter.

Which muscles are used for chewing?

The primary muscles include:

• Masseter.
• Temporalis.
• Lateral pterygoid.
• Medial pterygoid.

What is the main chewing muscle?

The masseter muscle is the main muscle used for chewing. The pterygoid muscles are underneath the masseter and assist in chewing movements. It is responsible for opening the jaw, clenching, moving side-to-side and rotating, and projecting the lower jaw.

What muscles are used in chewing?

What is the muscle in your jaw called?

The masseter muscle provides powerful elevation and protrusion of the mandible by originating from the zygomatic arch and inserting along the angle and lateral surface of the mandible. The temporalis muscle originates from the floor of the temporal fossa and inserts onto the coronoid process of the mandible.

What are the two main chewing muscles?

Muscles in the Mouth, Explained

• The masseter muscle is the main muscle used for chewing.
• The temporalis muscle originates above your temple and connects to the jaw.
• The pterygoid muscles are underneath the masseter and assist in chewing movements.