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The temporalis muscle, also known as the temporal muscle, is one of the four primary muscles of mastication (chewing). It is a large, fan-shaped muscle that fills the temporal fossa, with anterior fibres that are vertically oriented, mid fibres that are obliquely oriented, and horizontally oriented posterior fibres. The temporalis muscle is responsible for elevating the mandible (closing the mouth) and plays a crucial role in the grinding movement of the jaw. It is innervated by the deep temporal branches of the mandibular nerve and receives its blood supply from the deep temporal arteries, which connect with the middle temporal artery.
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What You'll Learn
The temporalis muscle is one of the four main muscles of mastication
The temporalis muscle is indeed one of the four main muscles of mastication. The other three are the masseter, medial pterygoid, and lateral pterygoid muscles. The muscles of mastication are a group of muscles responsible for the movement of the jaw, enabling functions such as chewing and grinding food. They attach to the mandible, producing movements of the lower jaw at the temporomandibular joint (TMJ).
The temporalis muscle is a fan-shaped muscle that fills the temporal fossa, with anterior fibres that have a vertical orientation, mid fibres with an oblique orientation, and posterior fibres with a horizontal orientation. It is a large, flat muscle that lies within the temporal fossa of the skull, superior to the zygomatic arch, covering much of the temporal bone. The origin of the temporalis muscle spans from the temporal fossa to the inferior temporal line of the lateral skull. Its muscle fibres converge to form a tendon that exits the temporal fossa, passing underneath the zygomatic arch, and inserting on the coronoid process of the mandible. The function of the anterior and mid fibres of the temporalis muscle is to elevate the mandible, while the posterior fibres function to retract the mandible and contribute to side-to-side grinding movements.
The temporalis muscle is innervated by the deep temporal branches of the mandibular nerve, which is the third division of the trigeminal nerve (CN V3). It is supplied by the deep temporal nerve, a branch of the anterior division of the mandibular nerve. The blood supply of the temporalis muscle is from the deep temporal branches of the maxillary artery and the middle temporal branches of the superficial temporal artery.
The temporalis muscle is associated with jaw pain and headaches. Bruxism, or teeth grinding, and clenching of the jaw can lead to overwork of the muscle, resulting in pain. A myotendinous rupture of the temporalis muscle can occur during a seizure due to extreme clenching of the jaw. The temporalis muscle may also be used in reconstructive surgery of the mouth.
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It fills the temporal fossa, superior to the zygomatic arch
The temporalis muscle is one of the four main muscles of mastication, which are responsible for the chewing movement of the mandible at the temporomandibular joint. The other three muscles are the medial pterygoid, lateral pterygoid, and masseter muscles. The temporalis muscle is fan-shaped and fills the temporal fossa, superior to the zygomatic arch.
The temporal fossa is a shallow depression on the temporal region of the skull, forming one of the largest landmarks of the skull. It is located superior to the zygomatic arch and inferior to the superior temporal line. The fossa is occupied mostly by the temporalis muscle, which has a wide attachment spread across it. The fossa also contains some important neurovascular structures, such as the deep temporal vessels and nerves.
The floor of the temporal fossa is made up of four skull bones: the frontal, parietal, squamous temporal, and greater wing of the sphenoid bone. These bones meet at a junction called the pterion. The roof of the fossa is formed by the temporal fascia, which overlies the temporalis muscle and attaches to the superior temporal line. The fossa is bordered by the zygomatic arch and the infratemporal crest of the greater wing of the sphenoid bone.
The zygomatic arch, or cheekbone, is a part of the skull formed by the zygomatic process of the temporal bone and the temporal process of the zygomatic bone. The tendon of the temporal muscle passes through the middle of the arch to gain insertion into the coronoid process of the mandible (jawbone). The upper border of the arch gives attachment to the temporal fascia, while the lower border and medial surface give origin to the masseter.
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Its function is to elevate the mandible
The temporalis muscle is one of the four main muscles of mastication, which is the action of chewing food. The other muscles of mastication are the masseter, medial pterygoid, and lateral pterygoid muscles. The temporalis muscle is a fan-shaped muscle that fills the temporal fossa, with anterior fibres that have a vertical orientation, mid fibres that have an oblique orientation, and posterior fibres that have a horizontal orientation.
The function of the anterior and mid fibres of the temporalis muscle is to elevate the mandible. The mandible, or jaw, is elevated by the temporalis muscle, which closes the mouth. This function is produced by the anterior vertical fibres, which are continually in action, opposing gravity when the mouth is closed. The posterior fibres of the temporalis muscle function to retract the mandible and contribute to side-to-side grinding movements.
The temporalis muscle is a large, flat muscle that lies within the temporal fossa of the skull. It originates from the temporal fossa to the inferior temporal line of the lateral skull. The temporalis muscle fibres converge inferiorly, forming a tendon that exits the temporal fossa, passing underneath the zygomatic arch, and inserting on the coronoid process of the mandible. The muscle is innervated by the deep temporal branches of the mandibular nerve, and vascularized by the deep temporal branches of the maxillary artery and middle temporal branches of the superficial temporal artery.
The muscles of mastication are a group of muscles associated with movements of the jaw. They enhance the process of eating and assist in grinding food. They also function to approximate or bring together the teeth. The four main muscles of mastication originate from the surface of the skull and attach onto the rami of the mandible at the temporomandibular (TMJ) joint. The movements performed by these muscles are elevation, depression, protrusion, retraction, and side-to-side movement.
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It is supplied by the deep temporal nerve
The temporalis muscle is one of the four main muscles of mastication, which is a group of muscles responsible for the chewing movement of the mandible at the temporomandibular (TMJ) joint. The other three muscles are the masseter, medial pterygoid, and lateral pterygoid muscles. The temporalis muscle is a fan-shaped muscle that fills the temporal fossa, with its anterior fibres oriented vertically, its mid fibres oriented obliquely, and its posterior fibres oriented horizontally.
The deep temporal nerves are typically two nerves (one anterior and one posterior) that provide motor innervation to the temporalis muscle. They arise from the mandibular nerve (CN V3) and pass superior to the superior border of the lateral pterygoid muscle. They then ascend to the temporal fossa and enter the deep surface of the temporalis muscle. The anterior deep temporal nerve emerges from the anterior division of the mandibular nerve, while the posterior deep temporal nerve arises from the buccal nerve. The deep temporal nerves also have articular branches that contribute to the innervation of the temporomandibular joint.
The anterior deep temporal nerve runs with the buccal nerve between the heads of the lateral pterygoid muscle and ascends into the anterior temporal fossa deep to the temporalis muscle. Its motor fibres have cell bodies located in the motor nucleus of the trigeminal nerve in the pons. This nerve is responsible for transmitting branchial motor efferents to the anterior portion of the temporalis muscle.
The deep temporal nerves should not be confused with the temporal branch of the facial nerve. They are motor branches of the anterior division of the mandibular division of the trigeminal nerve. The mandibular nerve is the largest and most inferior division of the trigeminal nerve, and it is the only division that carries motor fibres. The trigeminal nerve exits the skull through the foramen ovale of the greater wing of the sphenoid bone.
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It is associated with jaw pain and headaches
The temporalis muscle is one of the muscles used for chewing. It is a large, flat, fan-shaped muscle that is located on each side of the head in an area known as the temple. The muscle is situated in the temporal fossa of the skull, with its fibres converging to form a tendon that exits the temporal fossa, passing underneath the zygomatic arch. The temporalis muscle is innervated by the deep temporal branches of the mandibular nerve, which is the third division of the trigeminal nerve.
The temporalis muscle is associated with jaw pain and headaches. Tension or trigger points in the muscle can cause pain in the temporal area, jaw, and headaches. This tension can be caused by various factors, such as trauma, prolonged immobilisation (e.g. after a jaw fracture), teeth grinding, forward head posture, and excessive gum chewing. When the temporalis muscle becomes inflamed, overworked, and tired, the pain can spread beyond the jaw to the ears, shoulders, neck, and skull. In some cases, the tendon of the temporalis muscle can be the source of pain, a condition known as Temporal Tendinitis.
Temporal Tendinitis is often associated with prolonged mouth opening, increased stress, tooth grinding, direct trauma to the muscle, and gum chewing. It can result in difficulty opening the mouth, pain, and swelling in the temples. Treatment for Temporal Tendinitis requires both dental and medical knowledge and may involve procedures such as coronoidectomy, where the coronoid process is reduced to a normal height, followed by physical therapy.
To alleviate jaw pain and headaches associated with the temporalis muscle, there are several options. A visit to the dentist can help determine the cause and appropriate treatment plan. This may include dental interventions, such as equilibrating the teeth or TMJ Splint Therapy, Botox Injection, Arthroscopy, Condylotomy, or Total Joint Replacement. Additionally, physical therapy, massage, and over-the-counter pain relievers can help manage the pain and discomfort.
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Frequently asked questions
The temporalis muscle, also known as the temporal muscle, is a fan-shaped muscle on each side of the head that fills the temporal fossa. It is one of the four primary muscles of mastication (chewing).
The function of the anterior and mid-fibres of the temporalis muscle is to elevate the mandible (closing the mouth). The posterior fibres retract the mandible. It also contributes to side-to-side grinding movements.
The temporalis muscle is likely to be involved in jaw pain and headaches. Bruxism, or teeth grinding, and clenching of the jaw can lead to overwork and pain in the temporalis muscle. A myotendinous rupture of the muscle can occur during a seizure due to extreme clenching of the jaw.
