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The temporalis muscle is a fan-shaped muscle on each side of the head that is involved in the movement of the jaw. It is one of the muscles of mastication (chewing) and is the primary muscle involved in closing the mouth. The temporalis muscle can be palpated, or felt, contracting when the jaw is clenching and unclenching. It is also commonly associated with jaw pain and headaches, especially when overworked or strained due to habits like teeth clenching or poor posture.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Shape | Broad, fan-shaped |
| Location | On each side of the head, covering the temporal fossa |
| Function | One of the muscles of mastication (chewing) |
| Parts | Anterior, posterior, and middle |
| Blood supply | Deep temporal arteries |
| Nerve supply | Mandibular branch of the trigeminal nerve (cranial nerve V) |
| Involvement in pain | Jaw pain, headaches, toothache-like pain |
| Role in surgery | Used in reconstructive surgery of the mouth and tympanoplasty |
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What You'll Learn
The temporalis muscle is one of the muscles of mastication (chewing)
The temporalis muscle is one of the four primary muscles of mastication (chewing). It is a thin, fan-shaped muscle situated within the temporal fossa of the skull. The muscle is covered by the temporal fascia and can be seen and felt contracting when the jaw is clenching and unclenching. The temporalis muscle is the strongest muscle of the temporomandibular joint and the primary retractor of the mandible. It can be divided into two functional parts: the anterior and posterior.
The anterior portion of the temporalis muscle runs vertically, and its contraction results in the elevation of the mandible (closing the mouth). The posterior portion has fibres that run horizontally, and their contraction results in the retrusion of the mandible. The middle portion, with fibres running in an oblique direction towards the inferior and anterior, is used for both elevation and retraction of the mandible. A unilateral contraction of the temporalis muscle results in the side-to-side movement of the jaw.
The temporalis muscle is supplied by the deep temporal nerves, receiving its blood supply from the deep temporal arteries, which anastomose with the middle temporal artery. The muscle fibres converge inferiorly, forming a tendon that exits the temporal fossa, passing underneath the zygomatic arch, and inserting on the coronoid process of the mandible. The temporalis muscle fills the temporal fossa, with its origin spanning from the temporal fossa to the inferior temporal line of the lateral skull.
The temporalis muscle is involved in jaw pain and headaches. Bruxism, or the habitual grinding of teeth, can lead to overwork of the muscle, resulting in pain. A myotendinous rupture of the muscle can occur during a seizure due to extreme clenching of the jaw. The muscle may be used in reconstructive surgery of the mouth.
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It is fan-shaped and located on each side of the head
The temporalis muscle is a fan-shaped muscle located on each side of the head. It is one of the muscles of mastication, or chewing, and is the strongest muscle of the temporomandibular joint. The muscle is involved in the elevation of the mandible, which closes the mouth, and the retrusion of the mandible, which pulls the jaw backward. The temporalis muscle is also involved in the side-to-side movements of the jaw, which facilitate speaking and swallowing.
The temporalis muscle is a thin, broad muscle that fills the temporal fossa of the skull, covering much of the temporal bone. The temporal fossa is a shallow depression on the lateral side of the head. The muscle extends downward beneath the zygomatic arch, or cheekbone area, to attach to the coronoid process of the mandible. The zygomatic arch is a bony structure that forms part of the orbit of the eye and the cheekbone. The coronoid process of the mandible is a projection of the jawbone that serves as the attachment point for several muscles, including the temporalis muscle.
The temporalis muscle can be divided into two functional parts: the anterior and posterior portions. The anterior portion runs vertically and its contraction results in the elevation of the mandible, or closing of the mouth. The posterior portion has fibres that run horizontally, and contraction of this portion results in the retrusion of the mandible, or pulling the jaw backward. The middle portion of the muscle has fibres that run in an oblique direction and are used for both elevation and retraction of the mandible.
The temporalis muscle is a powerful muscle that is involved in jaw pain and headaches. Bruxism, or teeth grinding, and clenching of the jaw can lead to overwork of the muscle and result in pain. Poor posture, such as a forward head position, can also add strain to the muscle and increase tension. The muscle receives its blood supply from the deep temporal arteries, which anastomose with the middle temporal artery. The nerve supply to the muscle comes from the mandibular branch of the trigeminal nerve.
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It fills the temporal fossa, superior to the zygomatic arch
The temporalis muscle is a powerful muscle of the temporomandibular joint. It is one of the muscles of mastication (chewing). It is a thin, fan-shaped muscle situated within the temporal fossa of the skull. The temporal fossa is a shallow depression on the temporal region of the skull. It forms one of the largest landmarks of the skull and is located superior to the zygomatic arch. The zygomatic arch is the bony arch on the side of the skull that spans from the area of the cheek to just above the ear canal. It is formed by the junction of two bony processes: a short anterior component, the temporal process of the zygomatic bone (the cheekbone), and a longer posterior portion, the zygomatic process of the temporal bone, extending forward from the temporal bone.
The temporalis muscle fills the temporal fossa, superior to the zygomatic arch, so it covers much of the temporal bone. Temporal refers to the head's temples. In humans, the temporalis muscle arises from the temporal fossa and the deep part of temporal fascia. This is a very broad area of attachment. It passes medial to the zygomatic arch. It forms a tendon that inserts onto the coronoid process of the mandible, with its insertion extending into the retromolar fossa posterior to the most distal mandibular molar. The temporalis muscle can be divided into two functional parts: anterior and posterior. The anterior portion runs vertically, and its contraction results in the elevation of the mandible (closing the mouth). The posterior portion has fibres that run horizontally, and contraction of this portion results in retrusion of the mandible.
The temporalis muscle is covered by the temporal fascia, also known as the temporal aponeurosis. This fascia is commonly used in tympanoplasty, or surgical reconstruction of the eardrum. The muscle receives its blood supply from the deep temporal arteries, which anastomose with the middle temporal artery. As with the other muscles of mastication, control of the temporal muscle comes from the third (mandibular) branch of the trigeminal nerve. Specifically, the muscle is supplied by the deep temporal nerves. The temporalis muscle is likely to be involved in jaw pain and headaches. Bruxism, the habitual grinding of teeth, typically while sleeping, and clenching of the jaw while stressed can lead to overwork of the temporalis muscle and result in pain.
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The muscle is involved in jaw pain and headaches
The temporalis muscle is a powerful muscle of the temporomandibular joint. It is a thin, fan-shaped muscle situated within the temporal fossa of the skull. The muscle is involved in jaw pain and headaches.
Temporalis tendonitis is often associated with prolonged mouth opening, tooth grinding, and trauma to the muscle. Tooth clenching or grinding, prolonged mouth opening, muscle strains, and trauma such as whiplash can create inflammation within the tendon, leading to pain. Bruxism, or the habitual grinding of teeth, and clenching of the jaw while stressed can lead to an overworked temporalis muscle, resulting in pain. In rare cases, a condition called Coronoid Process Hyperplasia may be the cause of temporalis tendonitis.
When the temporalis muscle becomes inflamed, overworked, and tired, the pain can spread beyond the jaw to the ears, shoulders, neck, and skull. According to the Cleveland Clinic, headaches can occur when the pain reaches the head, including migraines. Temporal headaches can be caused by stress, blocked sinuses, or tension.
There are many ways to treat pain from the temporalis muscle and associated headaches. A dentist can recommend a treatment plan after a thorough dental examination. Treatment options depend on the cause and severity of the pain and headaches. Applying moist heat to the temporalis muscle can relax the muscle, improve blood circulation, ease tension, and reduce temporal headaches. Taiyang, an acupressure point, can also provide relief for temporal headaches.
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It has anterior and posterior parts with different functions
The temporalis muscle is a powerful muscle of the temporomandibular joint. It is a thin, fan-shaped muscle situated within the temporal fossa of the skull. The muscle is involved in the movement of the mandible at the temporomandibular joint, facilitating the act of mastication (chewing).
The temporalis muscle can be divided into two functional parts: the anterior and posterior. These two parts have different orientations and functions. The anterior portion moves the mandible dorsocranially (elevation), while its fibres run vertically. On the other hand, the posterior portion pulls the mandible posteriorly (retrusion), and its fibres are directed horizontally.
The anterior fibres of the temporalis muscle have a vertical orientation, while the posterior fibres are oriented horizontally. The contraction of the anterior fibres results in the elevation of the mandible, which is crucial for closing the mouth. In contrast, the contraction of the posterior fibres leads to the retrusion of the mandible.
The middle portion of the muscle, where the fibres are oriented obliquely, is responsible for both the elevation and retraction of the mandible. Additionally, the unilateral contraction of the temporalis muscle as a whole plays a significant role in the side-to-side movements of the jaw. This unilateral contraction can be observed when clenching and unclenching the jaw, and it is also important in the process of chewing.
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Frequently asked questions
The temporalis muscle is a fan-shaped muscle on each side of the head, covering the temples.
The muscle is one of the four primary muscles of mastication (chewing). It facilitates the movement of the mandible at the temporomandibular joint, enabling the closing of the mouth and the approximation of the teeth.
The muscle is divided into two functional parts: the anterior and posterior. The anterior portion runs vertically and its contraction results in the elevation of the mandible. The posterior portion has fibres that run horizontally and their contraction results in retrusion of the mandible.
Tension in the temporalis muscle can induce headaches and jaw pain. Nocturnal bruxism, or the habitual grinding of teeth while sleeping, can lead to overwork of the muscle and result in pain.
