Victor Forge
The temporalis muscle, also known as the temporal muscle, is a fan-shaped muscle located on each side of the head, originating from the temporal fossa of the skull. It is one of the muscles responsible for mastication (chewing) and facilitates other actions such as speaking and yawning. The muscle can be palpated over the temple at the hairline, anterior to the ear and superior to the zygomatic bone. It receives its blood supply from the deep temporal branches of the maxillary artery and middle temporal branches of the superficial temporal artery. Tension in the temporal muscle can induce pain in the temporal area and headaches.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Description | Broad, fan-shaped convergent muscle on each side of the head |
| Location | Temporal fossa, superior to the zygomatic arch |
| Origin | Floor of the fossa below the inferior temporal line, deep part of temporal fascia |
| Function | Elevation and retraction of the mandible, closing of the mouth, approximation of the teeth, side-to-side movement of the jaw |
| Blood Supply | Deep temporal branches of the maxillary artery, middle temporal branches of the superficial temporal artery |
| Innervation | Anterior, middle, and posterior deep temporal branches of the mandibular nerve (V3) |
| Usage in Surgery | Reconstruction of the paralyzed face, defects involving the skull base, orbit, midface, and oropharynx |
| Associated Pain | Tension, bruxism, myofascial pain, headaches, myotendinous rupture during seizures |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
- The temporalis muscle is one of the four primary muscles of mastication (chewing)
- It is a fan-shaped muscle that fills the temporal fossa
- The temporalis muscle is divided into anterior and posterior parts
- It receives its blood supply from the deep temporal branches of the maxillary artery
- The temporalis muscle is used in reconstructive surgery of the mouth and face
The temporalis muscle is one of the four primary muscles of mastication (chewing)
The temporalis muscle is one of the four primary muscles involved in mastication (chewing). It is a fan-shaped convergent muscle located on each side of the head, above the zygomatic arch, and covering much of the temporal bone. The muscle is broad and powerful, occupying most of the temporal fossa, which is a broad area of attachment. The temporalis muscle is innervated by the anterior, middle, and posterior deep temporal branches of the mandibular nerve (V3). Its blood supply comes from the deep temporal arteries and the middle temporal branches of the superficial temporal artery.
The temporalis muscle has two functional parts: the anterior and posterior portions. The anterior portion consists of vertical fibres that run in an inferior, near-vertical direction. Their contraction results in the elevation of the mandible, which closes the mouth. The posterior portion has fibres that run horizontally, and their contraction results in the retrusion of the mandible. The middle portion has oblique fibres that facilitate both the elevation and retraction of the mandible. The unilateral contraction of the middle portion causes lateral movement in the mandible.
The temporalis muscle is accessible at the temples and can be seen and felt contracting when the jaw is clenched or unclenched. It is palpated over the temple at the hairline, anterior to the ear and superior to the zygomatic bone. The temporalis muscle is also used in reconstructive surgery of the mouth and face. For example, inserting the temporalis muscle into the orbicularis oris allows for trigeminal-controlled lower face movement.
Tension in the temporalis muscle can cause pain in the temporal area, and it is often involved in jaw pain and headaches. This can be caused by nocturnal bruxism, or the habitual grinding of teeth while sleeping, and clenching of the jaw while stressed. A myotendinous rupture of the temporalis muscle can occur during a seizure due to extreme clenching of the jaw.
Torn Muscle and Burning Sensations: What's the Link?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
It is a fan-shaped muscle that fills the temporal fossa
The temporalis muscle is a fan-shaped convergent muscle on each side of the head. It fills the temporal fossa, superior to the zygomatic arch, and covers much of the temporal bone. The term 'temporal' refers to the temples on the head. The temporalis muscle is a masticatory muscle, which means it is involved in the process of chewing. It is also the primary muscle involved in the movement of the mandible.
The temporalis muscle is a large muscle that originates from the temporal fossa and the lateral surface of the skull. It passes medial to the zygomatic arch and inserts into the inner surface of the coronoid process of the mandible. The muscle is divided into three portions based on the function of the muscle and the direction of the muscle fibres. The anterior portion consists of vertical fibres, the middle portion contains oblique fibres, and the posterior portion is made up of horizontal fibres.
The contraction of the anterior fibres of the temporalis muscle moves the mandible dorsocranially, resulting in the elevation of the mandible and the closing of the mouth. On the other hand, the contraction of the posterior fibres results in the backward movement of the mandible, or retrusion. When the muscle contracts as a whole, it facilitates the closing of the mouth and the approximation of the teeth. The unilateral contraction of the temporalis muscle is also important for the side-to-side movements of the jaw.
The temporalis muscle is innervated by the deep temporal branches of the mandibular nerve, specifically the anterior, middle, and posterior deep temporal branches of the anterior trunk of the mandibular nerve. It receives its blood supply from the deep temporal arteries, which are branches of the internal maxillary artery. The middle temporal artery, a branch of the superficial temporal artery, provides accessory blood supply.
The temporalis muscle is accessible on the temples and can be seen and felt contracting when the jaw is clenching and unclenching. It can be palpated over the temple at the hairline, anterior to the ear, and superior to the zygomatic bone. The muscle is also used in reconstructive surgery of the face and mouth.
Muscle Aches, Water Retention: What's the Link?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The temporalis muscle is divided into anterior and posterior parts
The temporalis muscle is a large, fan-shaped convergent muscle on each side of the head. It is one of the four primary muscles used in mastication (chewing). It is also the strongest muscle of the temporomandibular joint and the primary retractor of the mandible. The temporalis muscle is divided into anterior and posterior parts, with the anterior fibres running inferiorly in an almost vertical direction, and the posterior fibres directed almost horizontally. Both types of fibres converge onto a narrow tendon that runs medial to the zygomatic arch. The tendon inserts onto the apex and medial surface of the coronoid process of the mandible.
The anterior fibres of the temporalis muscle move the mandible dorsocranially (elevation). The contraction of the posterior fibres results in the backward movement of the mandible (retrusion). In unison, these actions facilitate the closing of the mouth and the approximation of the teeth. The unilateral contraction of the muscle plays an important role in the side-to-side movements of the jaw.
The temporalis muscle originates from the temporal fossa and the deep part of the temporal fascia. This is a very broad area of attachment. It passes medial to the zygomatic arch. The muscle is covered by the temporal fascia, masseter muscle, subcutaneous tissue, and skin. The auriculotemporal, facial, and zygomaticotemporal nerves run across the superficial aspect of the temporalis muscle.
The temporalis muscle has a duplex blood supply from the anterior and posterior deep temporal arteries, which are branches of the internal maxillary artery. Accessory blood supply is derived from the middle temporal artery, which is a branch of the superficial temporal artery.
Muscle Mass: Understanding the Weight of Muscles
You may want to see also
Explore related products
It receives its blood supply from the deep temporal branches of the maxillary artery
The temporalis muscle is a powerful muscle of the temporomandibular joint. It is a muscle of mastication (chewing) and is located on the lateral aspect of the skull. The muscle is involved in jaw movement and is likely to be associated with jaw pain and headaches. The temporalis muscle is a fan-shaped muscle that fills the temporal fossa, superior to the zygomatic arch. It covers much of the temporal bone and is accessible on the temples.
The temporalis muscle receives its blood supply from the deep temporal branches of the maxillary artery. The deep temporal arteries are also referred to as the anterior and posterior deep temporal arteries. These arteries originate from the second (pterygoid) portion of the internal maxillary artery and enter the muscle from the medial surface. The middle temporal artery, a branch of the superficial temporal artery, serves as an accessory blood supply to the temporalis muscle.
The maxillary artery is a critical source of oxygenated blood for the temporalis muscle and its surrounding structures. It branches off from the external carotid artery, supplying oxygenated blood to the deep tissues of the face and teeth. The maxillary artery divides into several branches, including the deep temporal branches, which specifically provide blood flow to the temporalis muscle.
The blood supply from the deep temporal branches of the maxillary artery ensures that the temporalis muscle receives the necessary oxygenated blood for its proper function and maintenance. This blood supply is crucial for the muscle's ability to contract and relax during the process of mastication, or chewing. Adequate blood flow also aids in the muscle's recovery and repair processes, helping to remove waste products and deliver essential nutrients to the muscle tissue.
Understanding the blood supply to the temporalis muscle is important for clinical reasons. For instance, vasculitides such as giant cell arteritis can affect the superficial temporal artery, resulting in swelling and pain in the temporal region. Additionally, the blood supply information is relevant in surgical procedures involving the temporalis muscle, such as reconstructive surgery of the mouth or face.
C7 Nerve: Innervating Muscles and Their Functions
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$14.95 $16.95
The temporalis muscle is used in reconstructive surgery of the mouth and face
The temporalis muscle is a fan-shaped or broad muscle that fills the temporal fossa, superior to the zygomatic arch. It is one of the muscles of mastication (chewing) and is involved in the closing of the mouth and approximation of the teeth. The temporalis muscle is divided into two functional parts: the anterior and posterior. The anterior fibres run vertically, and their contraction results in the elevation of the mandible, while the posterior fibres run horizontally, and their contraction results in retrusion of the mandible.
The temporalis muscle is used in reconstructive surgery for the face and mouth, particularly in cases of facial paralysis. The muscle transfer procedure can help augment facial motion and create a smile in individuals with facial paralysis or those who have had the smile muscle removed during cancer surgery. The temporalis muscle can be transposed towards the corner of the mouth, or its tendon can be lengthened with fascia from donor sites to reach the corner of the mouth. This allows patients to bite down and trigger a smile. The muscle transfer procedure is often chosen for individuals who are not suitable candidates for more complex microsurgical procedures due to age, general medical condition, or previous surgeries.
There are several techniques for transferring the temporalis muscle, including the orthodromic muscle flap with fascia lata graft. The specific technique is determined by a complex series of variables, including the degree of facial weakness. The temporalis muscle can also be used in combination with the masseter muscle transfer to create a multidirectional smile.
The temporalis muscle transfer procedure is performed through an incision in front of the ear, extending into the temple. The muscle is then sutured to the corner of the mouth, and the proximal muscle is re-anchored in the scalp region. Following the surgery, patients are advised to eat a soft diet and avoid pressure on the operated side of the face for four weeks. They may also experience improved symmetry by the third postoperative week.
In addition to its use in smile reconstruction, the temporalis muscle has been utilized in the reconstruction of the paralyzed face, including defects involving the skull base, orbit, midface, and oropharynx.
Sphincter Muscles: Where Are They Located in the Human Body?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The temporalis muscle is a muscle used for mastication (chewing).
The temporalis muscle is located on the lateral aspect of the skull. It is accessible on the temples and can be seen and felt contracting when the jaw is clenching and unclenching.
The temporalis muscle is a fan-shaped convergent muscle on each side of the head. It fills the temporal fossa, superior to the zygomatic arch.
The temporalis muscle is responsible for the movements of the mandible. The contraction of its anterior fibres moves the mandible upwards, while the contraction of its posterior fibres moves the mandible backward. In unison, these actions facilitate the closing of the mouth and the approximation of the teeth.
Tension in the temporalis muscle can induce pain in the temporal area. It is also likely to be involved in jaw pain and headaches. The temporalis muscle is used in reconstructive surgery of the face and mouth.
