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The human jaw muscles are essential for chewing (also known as mastication) and play a crucial role in craniofacial growth and development. These muscles, along with the tongue and face muscles, produce the complex movements involved in mastication. The jaw muscles are also subject to various disorders, with muscle pain being the most common complaint among patients. This pain is often described as a continuous deep dull ache and can be caused by conditions such as myospasm, myofibrotic contracture, myositis, and bruxism. The facial muscles involved in mastication include the lateral pterygoid, masseter, medial pterygoid, and temporalis muscles. These muscles, along with other facial muscles, enable us to make facial expressions and perform essential functions like chewing and speaking.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of facial muscles | 20 |
| Functions | Chewing, making facial expressions, biting, speaking, handling food |
| Types of facial muscles | Auricular, buccolabial, epicranial, nasal, orbital |
| Jaw muscles involved in OMD | Jaw-closing (masseter, temporal, lateral, and medial pterygoid), jaw-opening (digastric) |
| Conditions | Masticatory myofascial pain, masticatory myalgia, myospasm, myofibrotic contracture, myositis, bruxism, TMJ dysfunction, tumors |
| Pain | Deep somatic pain, dull ache, tightness, pressure |
| Causes of pain | Trauma, infection, inflammation, tooth grinding, imbalance of forces within muscles |
| Effects of jaw problems | Chewing problems, speech problems, breathing problems, appearance concerns |
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What You'll Learn
- The human jaw is made up of about 20 facial muscles
- The masseter, temporal, lateral and medial pterygoid muscles are involved in jaw-closing
- The digastric muscle is involved in jaw-opening
- Jaw muscle disorders are often manifested as pain
- The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) allows the lower jaw to move smoothly
The human jaw is made up of about 20 facial muscles
The masseter muscle, for instance, runs from the cheek to the side of the jaw and helps with closing the jaw. The lateral pterygoid, a fan-shaped muscle, assists in opening the jaw, while the medial pterygoid, a thick muscle, aids in closing it. The temporalis, another fan-shaped muscle, also helps with jaw closure.
The jaw muscles are subject to various disorders, often manifesting as pain. Masticatory myofascial pain, for instance, is characterised by a dull ache over the jaw and temple muscles, with trigger points that produce referred pain. Masticatory myalgia causes a persistent dull ache in the jaw, temple, head, neck, ear, and teeth regions. It can also lead to restricted jaw movement, fatigue, and stiffness.
Additionally, bruxism is a condition characterised by involuntary teeth clenching or grinding, which can occur during sleep or while awake due to various psychological, neurological, and orodental conditions. It can cause tooth wear, temporomandibular joint issues, and muscle pain, as well as tension-type headaches.
Proper jaw alignment is crucial for chewing, speaking, and breathing. When jaws are uneven or poorly aligned, it can lead to difficulties in biting and chewing, speech problems, and even breathing issues such as sleep apnea.
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The masseter, temporal, lateral and medial pterygoid muscles are involved in jaw-closing
The human face has about 20 facial muscles, which are flat skeletal muscles that attach to different places on the skull. These muscles are essential for chewing and making facial expressions. The facial muscles involved in chewing are known as the muscles of mastication.
The masseter, temporal, lateral, and medial pterygoid muscles are all muscles of mastication. They are involved in jaw-closing and are attached to the rami of the mandible, which is the lower jaw. The masseter muscle is the most powerful muscle of mastication. It is quadrangular in shape and has two parts: deep and superficial. It runs from the cheek to the side of the jaw. The temporalis muscle is fan-shaped and also assists in elevating the mandible. The medial pterygoid muscle is thick and rectangular with two heads: deep and superficial. The lateral pterygoid muscle is triangular in shape and has two heads: superior and inferior. It is the sole muscle of mastication that causes depression of the mandible.
The muscles of mastication develop from the first pharyngeal arch and are innervated by the mandibular nerve, a branch of the trigeminal nerve. The mandibular nerve carries both sensory and motor fibres and innervates the four main muscles of mastication. The masseter muscle, for example, receives nerve input from the masseteric nerve, a division of the mandibular nerve.
Disorders of the muscles of mastication include masticatory myofascial pain, masticatory myalgia, and myospasm. Bruxism, or teeth grinding, is also a condition that affects the muscles of mastication and can cause tooth wear and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction. TMJ dysfunction can result from an imbalance of forces within the muscles of mastication, leading to stiffness, pain, and difficulty chewing or speaking.
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The digastric muscle is involved in jaw-opening
The human face has about 20 facial muscles, which are flat skeletal muscles that attach to different places on the skull. These muscles are essential for chewing and making facial expressions. The facial muscles involved in chewing (also known as muscles of mastication) include the lateral pterygoid, masseter, medial pterygoid, and temporalis.
The digastric muscle is a small, paired suprahyoid muscle located under the jaw in the anterior compartment of the neck. The name "digastric" refers to its structure, as it is composed of two muscular bellies (anterior and posterior) united by an intermediate tendon. The posterior belly of the digastric muscle originates at the medial surface of the mastoid notch of the temporal bone, while the anterior belly originates at the digastric fossa of the lower border of the mandible. These two bellies meet at the intermediate tendon, which attaches to the hyoid bone.
The trigeminal nerve (cranial nerve V) innervates the anterior part of the digastric muscle, while the facial nerve (cranial nerve VII) innervates the posterior belly. The coordination of muscles during chewing is achieved by a neural center in the brainstem, which includes the midbrain, pons, and medulla.
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Jaw muscle disorders are often manifested as pain
The face has about 20 facial muscles, including the muscles of mastication, which are involved in chewing. These include the lateral pterygoid, masseter, medial pterygoid, and temporalis muscles. The pterygoid muscles, supplied by the trigeminal nerve, are examined by having the patient move their jaw from side to side against resistance.
Jaw muscle disorders often manifest as pain, which can be caused by various conditions affecting the jaw joints and surrounding muscles and ligaments. These disorders are known as temporomandibular disorders (TMD) and include conditions such as temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction, myofascial pain, and myospasm. TMJ dysfunction can result from an imbalance of forces within the muscles of mastication, often caused by teeth grinding or bruxism. Bruxism is characterised by involuntary, aimless, repetitive oral activities such as teeth clenching or grinding and can lead to tooth wear, joint and muscle pain, and headaches.
Myofascial pain, the most common form of TMD, results in discomfort or pain in the fascia and muscles controlling the jaw, neck, and shoulder. It is similar to other skeletal muscle disorders and is characterised by a dull, regional ache with trigger points that produce referred pain, increasing during function. Myospasm, also known as a muscle cramp, is an acute condition resulting from a sudden, involuntary, continuous tonic contraction of the muscle.
Other jaw muscle disorders include myofibrotic contracture, which involves a painless shortening of the muscle due to fibrosis, and myositis, an inflammatory condition causing swelling, redness, increased temperature, and limited range of motion. Jaw alignment problems, such as uneven jaws or a lower jaw that is too far back or forward, can also lead to chewing, speech, breathing, and appearance issues.
Treatment for TMJ disorders varies and may include non-invasive options such as medication, physical therapy, and custom mouth guards. In more severe cases, jaw surgery may be required.
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The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) allows the lower jaw to move smoothly
The human face has about 20 flat skeletal muscles that attach to different places on the skull. These muscles are responsible for chewing (also known as mastication) and making facial expressions. The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is a critical component of the jaw and enables the lower jaw to move smoothly.
The TMJ connects the lower jawbone to the skull, allowing for movements like chewing and speaking. It is the joint that facilitates the opening and closing of the mouth. The lower jaw, or mandible, supports the bottom row of teeth and shapes the lower face and chin. As the mandible moves, the tongue, which is held by the lower jaw, is also able to move freely during speech and eating.
The TMJ is susceptible to various disorders, collectively referred to as temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMD). TMD encompasses a group of over 30 conditions that affect the jaw joint and surrounding muscles, causing symptoms such as jaw pain, headaches, and difficulty with jaw movement. Teeth grinding, jaw injuries, arthritis, and everyday wear and tear are common causes of TMD.
TMD can manifest in different ways, including temporary discomfort or chronic jaw pain that persists for extended periods. Treatment options for TMD include medication, physical therapy, custom mouth guards, and, in some cases, oral surgery. The specific treatment plan may vary depending on the individual and the severity of their condition.
In summary, the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is essential for the smooth movement of the lower jaw. It enables vital functions such as chewing and speaking. However, the TMJ can also be prone to disorders, resulting in pain and impaired jaw function. Recognizing and treating TMD is crucial to ensure the optimal performance of this critical joint.
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Frequently asked questions
The internal jaw muscles are the muscles involved in chewing (mastication) and are also known as craniofacial muscles. These include the lateral pterygoid, masseter, medial pterygoid, and temporalis muscles.
The internal jaw muscles are essential for chewing and play a role in craniofacial growth. They contribute to dental and articular forces and help to deform the mandible.
Common disorders of the internal jaw muscles include masticatory myofascial pain, myospasm, bruxism, and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction. These disorders can cause pain, stiffness, restricted jaw movement, and teeth grinding.
