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The masseter muscle is a powerful muscle that is essential for chewing and eating food. Humans have two masseter muscles, one on each side of the face, connecting the mandible (lower jawbone) to the cheekbone. The masseter muscle is one of the four muscles of mastication, which is the medical term for chewing. The masseter muscle is innervated by the masseteric nerve, a branch of the mandibular nerve, and receives its blood supply from the masseteric artery. Dysfunction of the masseter muscle can lead to pain, difficulty chewing, and temporomandibular disorders (TMD), which are a group of conditions causing pain and tenderness in the jaw and surrounding muscles.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Masseter Muscle |
| Origin of Name | From the Greek μασᾶσθαι masasthai, "to chew" |
| Type | Facial Muscle |
| Number | Humans have two masseter muscles |
| Location | One on each side of the jaw |
| Shape | Parallelogram, Rectangular, Quadrangular |
| Function | Responsible for the elevation of the mandible, chewing, and some protraction |
| Blood Supply | Masseteric Artery, a branch of the Maxillary Artery |
| Innervation | Masseteric Nerve, a branch of the Mandibular Nerve (V3) of the Trigeminal Nerve |
| Hypertrophy | Refers to the enlargement of the masseter muscle |
| Hypertrophy Causes | Emotional stress, chronic clenching/grinding, gum chewing, etc. |
| Hypertrophy Treatment | Splint therapy, behaviour therapy, botulinum toxin type A (Botox) injection therapy, surgery |
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What You'll Learn
The masseter muscle is one of the four muscles of mastication
The masseter muscle is a powerful muscle that is essential for chewing and grinding food. It is one of the four muscles of mastication, along with the temporalis, medial pterygoid, and lateral pterygoid muscles. These muscles work together to produce movements of the lower jaw at the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), enabling functions such as chewing and grinding food.
The masseter muscle is a thick, rectangular muscle with two layers: a larger, superficial layer and a deep layer. The superficial layer arises from the maxillary process of the zygomatic bone and the anterior two-thirds of the zygomatic arch. The deep layer arises from the medial surface and inferior margin of the zygomatic arch. These fibres run vertically downwards to insert onto the upper part of the ramus of the mandible and the coronoid process.
The masseter muscle is innervated by the masseteric nerve, a branch of the mandibular nerve. It receives its blood supply from the masseteric artery, a branch of the maxillary artery. The main function of the masseter muscle is to elevate the mandible, causing a powerful jaw closure. This elevation occurs during the closing of the jaws. In addition, the muscle helps to stabilise tension in the articular capsule of the temporomandibular joint.
The masseter muscle can become enlarged in individuals who habitually clench or grind their teeth, a condition known as bruxism. This enlargement is usually asymptomatic and soft, and it can be unilateral or bilateral. However, even if the enlargement is bilateral, asymmetry of the face may occur due to unequal enlargement of the muscles. This condition may be confused with other issues such as parotid salivary gland disease or dental infections.
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It is a powerful, thick and rectangular muscle
The masseter muscle is a powerful, thick, and rectangular muscle that is essential for chewing and eating food. It is one of the four primary muscles of mastication, and it works alongside the temporalis and medial pterygoid muscles to close the jaw. The masseter muscle elevates the mandible, or lower jawbone, and assists in protrusion, or the forward movement of the lower jaw. This powerful muscle is one of the strongest in the human body.
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, attaching to the jawbone. The muscle is covered by a thin but very 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. It is innervated by the masseteric nerve, a branch of the mandibular nerve, which is also known as the trigeminal nerve. The mandibular nerve carries both sensory and motor fibres, allowing the masseter muscle to contract and perform its functions.
The masseter muscle can become enlarged, a condition known as masseter hypertrophy. This condition is often asymptomatic, but it can be associated with pain, clenching, grinding, and functional disorders of the jaw. Masseter hypertrophy can also lead to a square-shaped jawline, affecting the aesthetics of the face. The enlargement of the masseter muscle may be due to various factors, such as emotional stress, chronic clenching or grinding, repetitive habits like gum chewing, or simply a preference for chewing on one side.
In summary, the masseter muscle is a powerful, thick, and rectangular muscle that plays a crucial role in chewing and elevating the mandible. It consists of a superficial and deep portion, with the muscle receiving its blood supply from the masseteric artery and innervation from the masseteric nerve. Masseter hypertrophy is a condition where the muscle becomes enlarged, which can impact the appearance and function of the jaw.
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It helps us chew and eat our food
The masseter muscle is one of the four primary muscles of mastication, or chewing. Humans have two masseter muscles, one on each side of the jaw, which are powerful and thick. The word 'masseter' comes from the Greek 'masasthai', meaning 'to chew'.
The masseter muscle helps us chew and eat our food by elevating the mandible, or lower jaw, and assisting in the forward movement of the lower jaw. This forward movement, or protrusion, is caused by the contraction of the superior part of the muscle. The masseter muscle works in conjunction with two other jaw-closing muscles, the temporalis and the medial pterygoid, to close the jaw. The masseter muscle also helps to stabilise the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) when you clench your teeth. The TMJ is where the mandible and the temporal bone meet and slide and rotate in front of each ear.
The masseter muscle can become enlarged, or hypertrophied, in people who habitually clench or grind their teeth or chew gum. This condition is known as masseter hypertrophy and can result in a square-angled face. While this condition is usually asymptomatic, it can cause psychological distress due to the change in facial appearance. Masseter hypertrophy can also cause pain, restricted movement of the jaw, and headaches.
The masseter muscle is innervated by the masseteric nerve, a branch of the mandibular nerve, which is also known as the trigeminal nerve. The masseteric nerve allows the masseter muscle to contract and perform its primary function of elevating the mandible. The masseter muscle receives its blood supply from the masseteric artery, a branch of the maxillary artery.
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The masseter muscle can become enlarged or hypertrophied
The masseter muscle is a powerful, thick, and rectangular muscle with two divisions: superficial and deep. It is one of the four muscles responsible for the action of mastication (chewing). When the masseter contracts, it causes a powerful elevation of the mandible, leading to a closing of the jaws. The word "masseter" comes from the Greek "masasthai," meaning "to chew."
Masseter muscle hypertrophy can be unilateral or bilateral, and it can cause a square-angled face, creating a more masculine appearance in female patients or a bottom-heavy look. While the condition is often asymptomatic, it can be associated with pain, clenching, grinding, and functional disorders of the jaw. It may also cause psychological distress due to the exaggerated appearance of the muscle in the face. However, it is important to note that masseter hypertrophy itself is not a life-threatening condition.
There are two main approaches to treating masseter muscle hypertrophy: conservative or non-surgical therapies and surgical procedures. Conservative therapies include splint therapy, where an oral appliance is used to reduce biting forces from clenching and grinding, and behavior therapy, which addresses behavioral habits that contribute to overworking the masseter muscles. Surgical procedures, on the other hand, involve the partial removal of the masseter muscle and jawbone or liposuction of the fat near the muscle.
In summary, the masseter muscle is a crucial component of the masticatory system, responsible for the powerful action of chewing. However, it can become enlarged, leading to a condition known as masseter muscle hypertrophy. This condition, though rare and non-life-threatening, can cause cosmetic concerns and psychological distress in some individuals, and it can be effectively managed through conservative therapies and, in some cases, surgical interventions.
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It is innervated by the masseteric nerve, a branch of the mandibular nerve
The masseter muscle is a powerful muscle that is essential for chewing and eating food. It is one of the four muscles of the masticatory apparatus, and it is responsible for elevating the mandible, causing a powerful jaw closure. This muscle has two divisions: a superficial portion and a deep portion. The superficial portion is thick and tendon-like, connecting to the zygomatic bone (cheekbone), while the deep portion connects to the jawbone.
The masseter muscle is innervated by the masseteric nerve, a branch of the mandibular nerve. The mandibular nerve is the third branch of the trigeminal nerve, which is also known as the fifth cranial nerve. The trigeminal nerve carries both sensory and motor fibres. The sensory fibres of the mandibular nerve provide sensation to the lower teeth, gums, and lip, as well as the skin of the chin and lower jaw.
The masseteric nerve plays a crucial role in allowing the masseter muscle to contract and perform its primary function of elevating the mandible. This nerve crosses the mandibular notch to reach the masseter muscle, supplying it with motor fibres that enable the muscle's contraction.
The masseter muscle is also supplied with blood by the masseteric artery, a branch of the maxillary artery. The maxillary artery, in turn, is a branch of the external carotid artery and provides vascular supply to deep structures of the face. The masseteric artery is a small vessel that passes through the mandibular notch of the mandible into the deep surface of the masseter muscle.
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Frequently asked questions
The masseter muscle is a powerful muscle that is used for chewing. Humans have two masseter muscles, one on each side of the face.
The masseter muscle helps to elevate the lower jaw/mandible and to assist in protrusion/forward movement of the lower jaw. It is one of the four muscles responsible for the action of mastication (chewing).
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 usually asymptomatic, but it can be associated with pain, clenching/grinding, and functional disorders of the jaw.
Conservative/non-surgical treatments for masseter muscle hypertrophy include splint therapy, behaviour therapy, and botulinum toxin type A (Botox) injection therapy. Surgical treatments include the removal of part of the masseter muscle and jawbone or liposuction of the fat near the muscle.
