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The masseter muscle is a powerful muscle used for chewing and is one of four muscles that make up the masticatory apparatus. It is thick and rectangular, with three distinct layers, and is found in the face and jaw. The masseter muscle can become enlarged due to teeth grinding or clenching, which can lead to pain or psychological distress. It is innervated by the mandibular nerve, which is a branch of the trigeminal nerve.
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What You'll Learn
- The masseter muscle is one of the four muscles of the masticatory apparatus
- It is involved in the elevation and protrusion of the mandible
- It is a thick, rectangular muscle with three layers: superficial, intermediate and deep
- Masseter muscle hypertrophy can be caused by habits like clenching or grinding teeth
- It is innervated by the mandibular division of the trigeminal nerve
The masseter muscle is one of the four muscles of the masticatory apparatus
The masseter muscle originates from the zygomatic arch and extends down to the mandibular angle. It has a superficial portion that arises from the zygomatic process of the maxilla and the anterior part of the zygomatic arch. The deep portion, on the other hand, originates from the posterior part of the zygomatic arch and the zygomatic process of the maxilla. The fibres of the superficial and deep heads converge and insert into the ramus of the mandible.
The masseter muscle has a significant role in mastication, or the process of chewing. It works in conjunction with nearby muscles to facilitate the movement of the temporomandibular joint and jaw bone. This muscle is also involved in other activities such as swallowing and speech. The masseter muscle receives its nerve supply from the mandibular division of the trigeminal nerve, which is the fifth cranial nerve. This nerve is responsible for various facial functions, including tongue and lip movement, facial sensations, and the movement of fine facial muscles.
The masseter muscle can be susceptible to issues such as masseteric hypertrophy, which refers to the enlargement of the muscle. This condition can be caused by habits like clenching or grinding the teeth, chewing gum, or other unconscious habits. While not life-threatening, masseteric hypertrophy can lead to psychological distress and facial asymmetry. Treatment options include conservative therapy, surgical procedures, or liposuction to reduce the muscle size.
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It is involved in the elevation and protrusion of the mandible
The masseter muscle is one of the four muscles of the masticatory apparatus, and it is involved in the elevation and protrusion of the mandible. It is a strong, thick, and rectangular muscle that originates from the zygomatic arch and extends down to the mandibular angle. The masseter has a superficial part that lies over its deep part, with the deep part consisting of vertically directed muscle fibres.
The masseter muscle is responsible for elevating the mandible, causing a powerful jaw closure. The contraction of the superior part, which runs diagonally to the front, moves the mandible forward, known as protrusion. This muscle also helps to stabilize the tension of the articular capsule of the temporomandibular joint.
The masseter muscle is one of the primary muscles involved in mastication, or chewing. It works alongside nearby muscles to move the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and jaw bone. The masseter is particularly powerful in herbivores, aiding in the chewing of plant matter. In humans, it is one of the strongest muscles and is essential for the chewing movement of the mandible at the TMJ.
The masseter muscle can become enlarged or hypertrophic due to habits such as teeth clenching, teeth grinding (bruxism), or excessive gum chewing. This condition, known as masseteric hypertrophy, is usually asymptomatic and soft, but it can lead to facial asymmetry and psychological distress. Treatment options for masseter hypertrophy include conservative therapy, surgical procedures, and botulinum toxin injections for lower face contouring.
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It is a thick, rectangular muscle with three layers: superficial, intermediate and deep
The masseter muscle is a thick, rectangular muscle with three layers: the superficial, intermediate, and deep layers. It is one of the four muscles of the masticatory apparatus, and it is responsible for the elevation and protrusion of the mandible, resulting in a powerful jaw closure. This muscle is crucial for the chewing movement of the mandible at the temporomandibular joint (TMJ).
The superficial layer of the masseter muscle is the larger of the three layers. It originates from the maxillary process of the zygomatic bone, running downwards and backwards to insert into the angle of the mandible and the inferior half of the lateral surface of the ramus of the mandible. This layer is covered by a thin but strong masseteric fascia, and it also houses the duct of the parotid gland, which passes across its surface.
The deep layer of the masseter muscle is smaller and more muscular in texture. It originates from the posterior third of the inferior border of the zygomatic arch and the medial surface of the zygomatic process of the maxilla. The fibres of this layer pass downward and forward, inserting into the upper half of the ramus, as high as the coronoid process of the mandible.
The intermediate layer of the masseter muscle, along with the deep layer, functions to retract the mandible. The fibres of the intermediate and deep layers converge inferiorly, forming a tendon that inserts into the outer surface of the mandibular ramus and coronoid process of the mandible. The masseter muscle receives its nerve supply from the mandibular branch of the trigeminal nerve, which is involved in several facial functions, including tongue and lip movement, facial sensations, and the movement of fine facial muscles.
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Masseter muscle hypertrophy can be caused by habits like clenching or grinding teeth
The masseter muscle is a strong, thick, rectangular muscle that is involved in the process of chewing. It is one of the four muscles of the masticatory apparatus, and it helps to elevate the mandible, causing a powerful jaw closure. This muscle originates from the zygomatic arch and extends down to the mandibular angle. It consists of a superficial part and a deep part, with the deep portion of the muscle fibres originating from the posterior third of the inferior border of the zygomatic arch.
Masseter muscle hypertrophy refers to the enlargement of the masseter muscle. This condition can be caused by habits like clenching or grinding the teeth, also known as bruxism. It is often observed in adults aged 20-40 and can be unilateral or bilateral. While it is not life-threatening, it can cause cosmetic concerns and psychological distress. Many patients seek treatment due to comments about their facial appearance, particularly a more square-angled or masculine jawline.
The exact cause of masseter muscle hypertrophy is not always known, but emotional stress and repetitive habits can contribute to the overworking of these muscles. Bruxism is a common condition where individuals involuntarily grind or clench their teeth, often during sleep. This behaviour can have detrimental effects on oral health and cause chronic pain, tooth sensitivity, fractures, and even tooth loss. It is also a common cause of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders, resulting in jaw pain, stiffness, and difficulty opening or closing the mouth.
Treatment options for masseter muscle hypertrophy include conservative or non-surgical therapies, such as splint therapy and behaviour therapy, as well as injectable treatments like botulinum toxin (Botox) and surgical procedures. Botox works by blocking nerve signals to the muscles, leading to muscle relaxation and a reduction in muscle size over time. It is a valuable therapeutic option for managing both bruxism and masseter hypertrophy, helping to alleviate excessive forces exerted during teeth grinding and protecting the teeth from damage.
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It is innervated by the mandibular division of the trigeminal nerve
The masseter muscle is a powerful, thick, quadrilateral muscle that is one of the four muscles of the masticatory apparatus. It is responsible for the elevation of the mandible, causing a powerful jaw closure, and the chewing movement of the mandible at the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). It also helps to stabilise tension in the articular capsule of the temporomandibular joint.
The masseter muscle is innervated by the mandibular division of the trigeminal nerve, also known as the fifth cranial nerve. The trigeminal nerve is the largest of the cranial nerves and consists of three main branches. The mandibular branch carries both sensory and motor fibres and is involved in several other facial functions beyond innervating the masseter muscle. These functions include tongue and lip movement, facial sensations, and movement of other fine facial muscles.
The masseter muscle can be manually tested by assessing its strength and function. This can be done by tapping the mandible, or lower jaw, at a downward angle just below the lips at the chin while the mouth is held slightly open. A healthy response will see a slight upward movement of the mandible.
The masseter muscle can become enlarged in patients who habitually clench or grind their teeth, or even in those who constantly chew gum. This condition is called masseteric hypertrophy and can cause psychological distress due to changes in facial appearance. Treatment options for masseter hypertrophy include surgical procedures or liposuction, and more conservative therapies.
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Frequently asked questions
The masseter muscle is a thick, rectangular-shaped muscle in your face and jaw. It is one of the four primary muscles of mastication (chewing).
The masseter muscle is responsible for the elevation of the mandible, causing a powerful jaw closure. It also helps to stabilise tension in the articular capsule of the temporomandibular joint.
The masseter muscle can become enlarged due to habits such as clenching or grinding the teeth, chewing gum, biting the sides of the tongue, biting nails, or chewing on objects. These habits can cause the muscle to be overworked, leading to pain or hypertrophy of the muscle.
