Maximus Gage
The muscles responsible for chewing are known as the muscles of mastication. These consist of the temporalis, masseter, medial pterygoid, and lateral pterygoid muscles. They are innervated by the mandibular branch of the trigeminal nerve. The muscles of mastication attach to the mandible, enabling movements of the lower jaw at the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and allowing us to chew and grind food.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Primary muscles | Temporalis, Medial Pterygoid, Lateral Pterygoid, Masseter |
| Function | Move the jaw (mandible) |
| Cardinal mandibular movements | Elevation, depression, protrusion, retraction, side-to-side movement |
| Muscle shape | Fan-shaped, rectangular, triangular |
| Muscle structure | Deep and superficial parts, anterior, mid and posterior fibres |
| Innervation | Mandibular nerve (V3), deep temporal nerve, masseteric nerve |
| Blood supply | Deep temporal part of the maxillary artery, middle temporal branches of the superficial temporal artery, pterygoid branch of the maxillary artery |
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What You'll Learn
The temporalis muscle
The anterior portion of the temporalis muscle moves the mandible dorsocranially (elevation) while its posterior fibres pull the mandible posteriorly (retrusion). In unison, these actions facilitate 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 movement of the jaw. The temporalis muscle receives its innervation from the anterior, middle and posterior deep temporal branches of the anterior trunk of the mandibular nerve (V3). The muscle is supplied by the deep temporal nerves.
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The medial pterygoid muscle
The primary function of the medial pterygoid muscle is to produce movements of the mandible at the temporomandibular joint. It assists with the elevation and protrusion of the mandible, helping to close the mouth and bring the teeth together. The unilateral contraction of the medial pterygoid causes a slight medial rotation of the mandible, and when this occurs simultaneously with the contraction of the ipsilateral lateral pterygoid, it results in a noticeable movement of the mandible swinging anteriorly and medially. This movement is crucial for the act of chewing.
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The lateral pterygoid muscle
The muscle's primary function is to control the function of the jaw and temporomandibular joint. It does this by pulling the head of the condyle out of the mandibular fossa along the articular eminence, which protrudes the mandible. When both heads of the lateral pterygoid muscle contract bilaterally, the mandible moves forward. When the muscle acts unilaterally, it causes the mandible to move side to side (contralateral excursion), which is also a form of mastication.
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The masseter muscle
The primary function of the masseter muscle is to elevate the mandible, causing the mouth to close. The muscle also assists in some protraction of the mandible, moving the jaw forward. The intermediate and deep muscle fibres of the masseter help in retracting the mandible, while the superficial fibres aid in protrusion.
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The mandibular nerve
The muscles responsible for chewing are the temporalis, medial pterygoid, lateral pterygoid, and masseter muscles. These muscles attach to the rami of the mandible and function to move the jaw. The mandibular nerve (CN V3) is the largest and inferior-most division of the trigeminal nerve (CN V). The trigeminal nerve exits the skull via the foramen ovale of the greater wing of the sphenoid bone.
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Frequently asked questions
The muscles used for chewing are the temporalis, masseter, medial pterygoid, and lateral pterygoid muscles.
The temporalis muscle is a fan-shaped muscle that fills the temporal fossa. Its functions include the elevation and retraction of the mandible.
The masseter muscle is the most powerful muscle of mastication. Its functions include the elevation, protrusion, and retraction of the mandible.
