Masticatory muscles
Musculi masticatorii
- Synonym: Muscles of mastication
Definition
The masticatory muscles (a.k.a. muscles of mastication) are a group of four paired skeletal muscles primarily responsible for movements of the mandible (lower jaw) during chewing, speaking, and swallowing. They act on the temporomandibular joint. They are all derived from the first pharyngeal (mandibular) arch, hence they are all innervated by the mandibular division of the trigeminal nerve (cranial nerve V3); it's anterior trunk.
Masticatory muscles | |||
Muscle | Origin | Insertion | Action |
Zygomatic arch, maxillary process of zygomatic bone | Lateral surface of ramus and angle of mandible | Elevation of mandible (closes jaw) | |
Bone of temporal fossa, temporal fascia | Coronoid process of mandible, anterior margin of ramus of mandible | Elevation and retraction of mandible | |
Superficial head (tuberosity of maxilla), Deep head (medial surface of lateral pterygoid plate) | Medial surface of ramus and angle of mandible | Elevation and side-to-side movements of mandible | |
Lower head (lateral surface of lateral pterygoid plate), Upper head (roof of infratemporal fossa) | Pterygoid fovea on neck of mandible, Capsule of temporomandibular joint | Protrusion and side-to-side movements of mandible | |
References
Basit H, Tariq MA, Siccardi MA. Anatomy, Head and Neck, Mastication Muscles. [Updated 2023 Jun 5]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK541027/
Gray, H. (2016) Gray’s Anatomy: The Anatomical Basis of Clinical Practice. 41st edn. Edited by S. Standring. New York: Elsevier. Chapter 32: Infratemporal and pterygopalatine fossae and temporomandibular joint, pp. 546-548.
