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The mandible is the only bone in the body that moves during mastication (chewing food) and other activities, such as talking. The muscles of mastication are a group of muscles responsible for the chewing movement of the mandible at the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). The four main muscles of mastication are the masseter, temporalis, medial pterygoid, and lateral pterygoid muscles. These muscles attach to the rami of the mandible and function to move the jaw (mandible). In this article, we will focus on the muscles that elevate the mandible.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of muscles that elevate the mandible | 4 |
| Names of the muscles | Masseter, Temporalis, Medial Pterygoid, Lateral Pterygoid |
| Type of muscle | Paired, strong, thick, rectangular |
| Muscle fibres | Superficial and deep |
| Muscle origin | Zygomatic bone, Temporal fossa, Lateral skull |
| Muscle insertion | Outer surface of mandibular ramus, Coronoid process of the mandible |
| Innervation | Mandibular nerve, Trigeminal nerve, Masseteric nerve |
| Blood supply | Masseteric artery, Maxillary artery |
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What You'll Learn
The masseter muscle
The medial, or inner, surface of the masseter muscle is mostly related to the ramus of the mandible, almost completely covering its superficial surface. The medial aspect of the muscle forms the lateral wall of the facial space, called the submasseteric space. The duct of the parotid gland passes across the surface of the muscle and opens onto the inner side of the cheek. The parotid gland surrounds the entire posterior and most of the superficial aspect of the muscle.
The contraction of the superior part of the masseter muscle, which runs diagonally to the front, moves the mandible forward (protrusion). The muscle also helps to stabilize the tension of the articular capsule of the temporomandibular joint. The masseter muscle can become enlarged in patients who habitually clench or grind their teeth or chew gum. This condition, called masseteric hypertrophy, is usually asymptomatic and soft, and it can be unilateral or bilateral.
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The temporalis muscle
The masseter muscle is another muscle that is involved in the elevation of the mandible. It is one of the four muscles of the masticatory apparatus. It is a paired, strong, thick and rectangular muscle that consists of a superficial and a deep part. The contraction of the superior part, which runs diagonally to the front, moves the mandible forward (protrusion). The masseter muscle helps to stabilise tension in the articular capsule of the temporomandibular joint.
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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. Unilateral contraction of the muscle causes a slight medial rotation of the mandible. When this occurs simultaneously with the contraction of the ipsilateral lateral pterygoid, it results in a noticeable movement where the same-side part of the mandible swings anteriorly and medially. Bilateral contraction of the medial pterygoid muscle, on the other hand, elevates and protrudes the mandible, facilitating the closing of the mouth.
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The lateral pterygoid muscle
The fibres from both heads converge and insert into different parts of the mandible. The superior fibres attach to the anteromedial part of the articular capsule and articular disc of the temporomandibular joint, while the inferior fibres attach to the pterygoid fovea on the neck of the condyloid process of the mandible. This allows the lateral pterygoid muscle to produce gliding motions in the superior compartment of the joint and facilitate hinge-like rotations in the inferior compartment.
The primary function of the lateral pterygoid muscle is to protrude and depress the mandible, contributing to chewing and biting movements. When contracting unilaterally, it rotates the mandible, and when contracting bilaterally, it protrudes the mandible forward. Unlike the other three muscles of mastication, the lateral pterygoid is the only muscle that participates in depressing the mandible, opening the jaw. It also assists in side-to-side mandibular motion, which helps with grinding food during mastication.
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The buccinator muscle
The muscle then inserts on the mouth's angle (modiolus) and the orbicularis oris. The buccinator lies deep to the facial skin, anterior border of the masseter, and more superficial muscles. The buccal fat pad covers the outer surface of the deep part of the buccinator, separating it from the ramus of the mandible, masseter, and temporalis muscles.
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Frequently asked questions
The masseter muscle is the muscle responsible for elevating the mandible.
The masseter is a strong, thick, rectangular muscle that consists of a superficial and deep part.
The masseter muscle elevates the mandible, causing a powerful jaw closure. The contraction of the superior part, which runs diagonally to the front, moves the mandible forward (protrusion).
Yes, the medial pterygoid, lateral pterygoid, and temporalis muscles are also involved in mandibular movement.
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