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The masseter muscle is a thick, rectangular facial muscle that is essential for chewing solid foods. It is one of the four muscles of mastication, and it originates from the zygomatic arch, connecting to the mandible (lower jawbone) and the cheekbone. The masseter muscle elevates the mandible, causing a powerful jaw closure, and it also assists in the protrusion movement, where the mandible moves forward. The masseter muscle can become enlarged, a condition known as masseter hypertrophy, which can be caused by various factors such as teeth grinding, emotional stress, or gum chewing. While masseter hypertrophy is typically asymptomatic, it can cause psychological distress due to the change in facial appearance.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | A paired, strong, thick and rectangular muscle |
| Location | Face, from cheekbone to angle of mandible on both sides |
| Origin | Zygomatic arch |
| Insertion | Upper half of the ramus as high as the coronoid process of the mandible |
| Function | Elevation and protrusion of the mandible, support to the articular capsule of the temporomandibular joint, chewing, clenching the teeth |
| Innervation | Mandibular division of the trigeminal nerve, the fifth cranial nerve |
| Blood supply | Masseteric artery, a branch of the maxillary artery |
| Conditions | Masseter muscle hypertrophy, temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMD) |
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What You'll Learn
- The masseter muscle is one of the four muscles of mastication
- It is innervated by the masseteric nerve, a branch of the mandibular nerve
- Masseter muscle hypertrophy refers to the enlargement of the muscle
- It is a facial muscle that plays a major role in chewing solid foods
- The muscle is shaped like a parallelogram and is divided into two sections
The masseter muscle is one of the four muscles of mastication
The masseter muscle is a thick, rectangular facial muscle that is essential for chewing solid foods. It is one of the four muscles of mastication, alongside the temporalis, lateral pterygoid, and medial pterygoid muscles. The masseter muscle originates from the zygomatic arch and extends down to the mandibular angle, with one masseter muscle located on each side of the jaw.
The masseter muscle is divided into two sections: the superficial and deep portions. The superficial portion is thick and tendon-like, connecting to the zygomatic bone (cheekbone). The deep portion is smaller and more muscular, attaching to the jawbone. The entire muscle is covered by a thin but strong masseteric fascia. The medial aspect of the masseter muscle forms the lateral wall of the facial space, known as the submasseteric space.
The primary function of the masseter muscle is to elevate the mandible (lower jawbone) and bring the teeth together during chewing. This powerful jaw closure is achieved through the contraction of the superior part of the muscle, which moves the mandible forward. The masseter muscle also assists in retracting the mandible and stabilising the temporomandibular joint (TMJ).
The masseter muscle is controlled by the masseteric nerve, a branch of the trigeminal nerve. It receives its blood supply from the masseteric artery, a branch of the maxillary artery. Dysfunction of the masseter muscle can lead to pain, difficulty chewing, and swelling in the jaw and face, which may result in temporomandibular disorders (TMD). Masseter muscle hypertrophy, or enlargement, can occur due to various factors such as emotional stress, chronic clench/grinding, and repetitive habits like gum chewing. While this condition is typically asymptomatic, it can cause psychological distress due to the exaggerated appearance of the muscle.
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It is innervated by the masseteric nerve, a branch of the mandibular nerve
The masseter muscle is a thick, rectangular facial muscle that connects to the mandible (lower jawbone) and the zygomatic arch (cheekbone). It is one of the four muscles of mastication (the others being the temporalis, medial pterygoid, and lateral pterygoid). The masseter muscle is responsible for the elevation of the mandible, causing a powerful jaw closure during chewing. It also helps to stabilise the temporomandibular joint (TMJ).
The masseter muscle is innervated by the masseteric nerve, a branch of the mandibular nerve (V3) of the trigeminal nerve. The trigeminal nerve is also known as the fifth cranial nerve. The masseteric nerve carries motor fibres that supply the masseter muscle, allowing it to contract and perform its primary function of elevating the mandible. This nerve crosses the mandibular notch to reach the masseter muscle.
The mandibular nerve is the third branch of the trigeminal nerve and carries both sensory and motor fibres. The sensory fibres of the mandibular nerve provide sensation to the lower teeth, gums, and lips, as well as the skin of the chin and lower jaw. The masseter muscle receives its blood supply from the masseteric artery, a branch of the maxillary artery.
The masseter muscle can become enlarged in individuals who habitually clench or grind their teeth, a condition known as masseter hypertrophy. This condition can be unilateral or bilateral and is usually asymptomatic. However, it can cause psychological distress due to the change in facial appearance, such as a square-shaped jawline. Treatment options for masseter hypertrophy include conservative therapies, behaviour therapy, and botulinum toxin (Botox) injections.
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Masseter muscle hypertrophy refers to the enlargement of the muscle
The masseter muscle is a strong, thick, and rectangular muscle that is part of a group of four pairs of muscles used for chewing. It originates from the zygomatic arch and extends down to the mandibular angle. The masseter muscle helps elevate the mandible, raising the lower jaw, and causing a powerful jaw closure.
Masseter muscle hypertrophy refers to the enlargement of the masseter muscle. This condition was first described in 1880 by an English physician named JW Legg. It is considered a rare condition and is often observed in adults aged 20-40, with no gender predominance. Masseter hypertrophy is typically asymptomatic, but it can be associated with pain, clenching, grinding, and functional disorders of the jaw. The most common complaint about this condition is that it can result in a square-angled face, creating a more masculine look in female patients or a bottom-heavy appearance. In cases of unilateral masseter hypertrophy, it can cause jaw asymmetry.
The exact cause of masseter muscle hypertrophy is unknown, but there are several factors that can contribute to the overworking of the masseter muscles, such as emotional stress, chronic clenching or grinding during the day or while sleeping, and repetitive habits like gum chewing. The condition is not life-threatening, but it can cause psychological distress due to the change in facial appearance.
There are both conservative and surgical treatments available for masseter muscle hypertrophy. Conservative treatments include splint therapy, behaviour therapy, and botulinum toxin type A (Botox) injection therapy. Surgical treatments include partial removal of the masseter muscle and jawbone or liposuction of the fat near the muscle. These surgical procedures are performed under general anesthesia.
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It is a facial muscle that plays a major role in chewing solid foods
The masseter muscle is a facial muscle that plays a major role in chewing solid foods. The word "masseter" comes from the Greek "masasthai", meaning "to chew". It is one of the four primary muscles of mastication, or the act of chewing. The other three muscles are the temporalis, medial pterygoid, and lateral pterygoid. The masseter muscle is paired and thick, with one muscle on each side of the jaw, connecting to the mandible (lower jawbone) and the cheekbone.
The masseter muscle is responsible for the elevation of the mandible, bringing the teeth together in a chewing motion. It also assists in the protrusion movement, where the mandible is moved forward through the contraction of its superior part. This allows the lower front teeth to come in front of the upper front teeth. The deep fibres of the masseter muscle retract the jaw or pull the lower jawbone backward. The masseter muscle also plays a role in stabilising the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) when one clenches their teeth.
The masseter muscle is divided into two sections: the superficial and deep portions. The superficial portion is thick and tendon-like, connecting to the zygomatic bone or cheekbone. The deep portion is smaller and more muscular, connecting to the jawbone. The entire superficial aspect of the muscle is covered with strong masseteric fascia. The medial, or inner, surface of the muscle is related to the ramus of the mandible, which almost completely covers its superficial surface. The masseter muscle is supplied with blood by the masseteric artery, a branch of the maxillary artery.
The masseter muscle can become enlarged, a condition known as masseter hypertrophy. This can be caused by various factors, such as emotional stress, chronic clench/grind, repetitive habits like gum chewing, or simply a preference for chewing on one side. Masseter hypertrophy is typically asymptomatic, but it can cause psychological distress due to the exaggerated appearance of the muscle in the face. Treatment options for masseter hypertrophy include conservative therapies such as splint therapy, behaviour therapy, and botulinum toxin type A (Botox) injection therapy.
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The muscle is shaped like a parallelogram and is divided into two sections
The masseter muscle is a thick, rectangular muscle that is one of the four muscles of the masticatory apparatus. It is a powerful muscle that originates from the zygomatic arch and extends down to the mandibular angle. The muscle is involved in the chewing motion, elevating the mandible and bringing the teeth together. The masseter muscle is shaped like a parallelogram and is divided into two sections: the superficial and deep portions.
The superficial portion of the masseter muscle is thick and tendon-like. It connects to the zygomatic bone, also known as the cheekbone. This portion of the muscle lies over the deep portion and originates from the maxillary process of the zygomatic bone. It then runs downward and forward to the masseteric tuberosity found on the lower part of the ramus of the mandible. The superficial part of the muscle helps to move the mandible forward, bringing the lower front teeth in front of the upper front teeth.
The deep portion of the masseter muscle is smaller and more muscular. It connects to the jawbone. The deep part consists of vertically directed muscle fibres that run from the medial surface of the zygomatic process of the temporal bone to the posterior margin of the coronoid process. The deep fibres of the muscle help to retract the jaw or pull the lower jawbone backward. The deep portion of the muscle is partly concealed anteriorly by the superficial portion. Posteriorly, it is covered by the parotid gland.
The masseter muscle is controlled by the masseteric nerve, a branch of the trigeminal nerve. The muscle receives its blood supply from the masseteric artery, a branch of the maxillary artery. The masseter muscle can become enlarged, a condition known as masseter hypertrophy. This condition is typically asymptomatic but can cause a square-angled face, affecting the aesthetics of the face. Masseter hypertrophy can be treated with conservative therapies, such as splint therapy and behaviour therapy, or with more invasive procedures such as Botox injections or surgery.
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Frequently asked questions
The masseter muscle is a facial muscle that plays a major role in chewing solid foods. It is one of the four muscles of the masticatory apparatus.
The masseter muscle elevates the mandible, causing a powerful jaw closure. The contraction of the superior part moves the mandible forward (protrusion).
The masseter muscle is located in the jaw. There are two masseter muscles, one on each side of the jaw.
Masseter muscle hypertrophy refers to the enlargement of the masseter muscle. It is often asymptomatic but can cause psychological distress due to the exaggerated appearance of the muscle in the face.
Masseter muscle hypertrophy can be treated with surgery or Botox injections. Conservative therapies include splint therapy, behaviour therapy, and botulinum toxin type A (Botox) injection therapy.
