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The human body is made up of more than 600 muscles, which support almost every part of the body and help us move, breathe and stay alive. There are three types of muscles: skeletal, cardiac and smooth muscle. Skeletal muscles are the most common type of muscle in the body and are attached to the bones of the skeletal system. They consist of flexible muscle fibres that contract, allowing the muscles to move bones so we can perform a wide range of movements. Skeletal muscles are named based on various factors, including their location, shape, size and function. This article will explore the location of the masseter muscle, a masticatory muscle, and its role in the body.
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What You'll Learn
The temporalis muscle
The anterior fibres of the muscle are vertical, the mid fibres are oblique, and the posterior fibres are horizontal. The anterior fibres move the mandible dorsocranially (elevation), while the posterior fibres pull the mandible backward (retrusion). The unilateral contraction of the temporalis muscle enables the side-to-side movement of the jaw. The contraction of the muscle also facilitates the closing of the mouth and the approximation of the teeth.
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The masseter muscle
Physiotherapy treatments for TMD related to the masseter muscle include palpation, manual muscle testing, and electromyographic activity analysis. Botox injections and surgery are also used to shrink an enlarged masseter muscle, with injections being the less invasive and more commonly chosen option.
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The medial pterygoid muscle
The superficial head of the medial pterygoid muscle originates from the maxillary tuberosity and the pyramidal process of the palatine bone. The deep head, which forms the bulk of the muscle, arises from the medial surface of the lateral pterygoid plate of the sphenoid bone and the adjacent pyramidal process of the palatine bone. Both heads attach to the ramus of the mandible near the angle of the mandible, creating an axis for a strong pull of this bone.
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The lateral pterygoid muscle
The primary function of the lateral pterygoid muscle is to control the function of the jaw and temporomandibular joint, particularly during mastication and parafunctional activities. It is the only muscle among the four muscles of mastication that participates in depressing the mandible (opening the jaw). When contracting unilaterally, the lateral pterygoid muscle moves the mandible side to side, and when contracting bilaterally, it protrudes the mandible forward. The muscle is also active during speaking, singing, and clenching, where it helps to prevent the mandibular condyle from being displaced posteriorly, thus protecting the sensitive postcondylar structures.
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The buccinator muscle
The buccal fat pad (of Bichat) covers the outer surface of the deep part of the buccinator, separating it from the ramus of the mandible, masseter, and temporalis muscles. The buccinator lies in the same plane and anteriorly to the superior pharyngeal constrictor, being separated from it by the pterygomandibular raphe. The posterior border of the buccinator is pierced by the tensor veli palatini near its attachment point to the pterygomandibular raphe.
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Frequently asked questions
Masseter muscles are located on both sides of the face, extending from the cheekbone down to the angle of the mandible (lower jawbone).
Masseter muscles are rectangular-shaped with two sections: the superficial portion and the deep portion. The superficial portion is thick and tendon-like, connecting to the cheekbone. The deep portion is smaller and more muscular, connecting to the jawbone.
Masseter muscles help with the movement of the mandible (lower jaw). They are powerful muscles that help elevate and protrude the lower jaw, allowing for chewing and biting down on food.
