The 

muscles of mastication are a group of muscles that consist of the temporalis, masseter, medial

pterygoid and lateral pterygoid muscles. The temporalis muscle is situated in the temporal fossa, the
masseter muscle in the cheek area, while the medial and lateral pterygoids lie in the infratemporal
fossa.

The masticatory muscles attach to the mandible, and thus produce movements of the lower jaw at
the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) to enable functions such as chewing and grinding. These movements
include:

 Protrusion (protraction), which moves the mandible forwards.

 Retraction, which pulls the mandible backwards.

 Elevation, which elevates the mandible and closes the mouth.

 Depression, which depresses the mandible and opens the mouth.

 Rotation, which produces side-to-side movements of the mandible.

All muscles of mastication are innervated by motor fibers of the mandibular branch of the trigeminal
nerve (CN V3), while the main arterial supply is derived from branches of the maxillary artery.

This article will introduce you to the anatomy and function of the muscles of mastication.

ey facts about the muscles of mastication

Definition and function The muscles of mastication are the muscles that attach to the mandible and thereby produce
movements of the lower jaw.

Muscles Temporalis, masseter, pterygoideus medialis and pterygoideus lateralis

Innervation Nervus mandibularis (CN V3)

Blood supply Arteria maxillaris

Temporalis muscle
 Temporalis
muscle (Musculus temporalis)
The temporalis muscle is a large, flat muscle that lies within the temporal fossa of
the skull. This fan-shaped muscle arises from the entirety of the temporal fossa below
the temporal line, as well as the deep surface of the temporal fascia. Its muscle fibers
converge anteriorly to form a tendon which runs deep to the zygomatic arch. The
tendon then inserts on the apex and medial surface of the coronoid process, and the
anterior border of the ramus of mandible.

The muscle is innervated by the deep temporal branches of the mandibular nerve,
and vascularized by the deep temporal branches of the maxillary artery and middle
temporal branches of the superficial temporal artery.

The temporalis muscle functions mainly as an elevator of the mandible. This function is
largely produced by its anterior vertical fibres which are continually in action, opposing
 gravity when the mouth is closed. The contraction of the posterior, more horizontal
fibers of the muscle produces a retraction of the mandible, pulling the jaw backwards. In
addition, the temporalis muscle contributes to grinding movements by moving the
mandible from side to side.

Master the anatomy of the temporalis and other muscles of mastication by exploring our
videos, quizzes, labeled diagrams, and articles.

Muscles of masticationExplore study unit

Temporal muscleRead article

Masseter muscle

The masseter muscle is a strong, quadrangular muscle that covers the lateral aspect of
the ramus of the mandible. It is composed of two layers that slightly differ in their
attachments:

 Its larger, superficial layer arises from the maxillary process of the zygomatic bone

and the anterior two-thirds of the zygomatic arch. From this origin, these muscle fibers run
inferiorly and posteriorly to attach to the lateral surface of the angle and lower half of the
ramus of the mandible.
 The deep layer of the masseter muscle arises from the medial surface and inferior
margin of the zygomatic arch. These fibers run vertically downwards to insert onto the
upper part of the ramus of the mandible and the coronoid process.
The innervation of the masseter muscle stems from the masseteric nerve, a branch of the
mandibular nerve. Its blood supply is derived from the masseteric artery, which emerges
 from the maxillary artery. The major function of the masseter muscle is to elevate the
mandible, with a minor contribution to protrusion of the mandible.

Feeling a bit overwhelmed? Learn the attachments, innervations and functions of the
masticatory muscles faster and easier with our muscle charts!

Medial pterygoid muscle

Musculus pterygoideus medialis (Medial pterygoid muscle)

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The medial pterygoid muscle is a quadrangular muscle situated in the infratemporal

fossa. It is composed of two heads that have two sets of origins.

 The larger deep head arises from the medial surface of the lateral pterygoid plate
of the sphenoid bone and the adjacent pyramidal process of palatine bone.
 The smaller superficial head originates from the tuberosity of the maxilla.
Both heads encircle the lower fibers of the lateral pterygoid muscle. From their points of
origin, the muscle heads converge and run posterolaterally in an oblique fashion to insert
on the medial surface of the mandibular ramus, close to the angle of the mandible.

The medial pterygoid muscle is innervated by the medial pterygoid branch of the
mandibular nerve. Its principal blood supply stems from the pterygoid branches of the
maxillary artery.

The major functions of this muscle are elevation of the mandible and side-to-side
movements when grinding and chewing. The medial pterygoid is also involved in

Lateral pterygoid muscle

Musculus pterygoideus lateralis (Lateral pterygoid muscle)

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 The lateral pterygoid muscle is a triangular muscle that lies in the infratemporal fossa.
Like the medial pterygoid muscle, the lateral pterygoid has two heads with two distinct
origins.

 The smaller, superior head arises from the inferior surface of the greater wing and
infratemporal crest of the sphenoid bone, which form the roof of the infratemporal fossa.
 The larger, inferior head originates from the lateral surface of the lateral pterygoid
plate of the sphenoid bone.
The fibers from both heads merge and run posterolaterally to insert onto a shallow
depression on the anterior aspect of the neck of the mandible called the pterygoid fovea.
Additionally, some fibers insert on the joint capsule and articular disc of the
temporomandibular joint (TMJ).

The lateral pterygoid muscle is innervated by the lateral pterygoid branch of the
mandibular nerve and vascularized by the pterygoid branches of the maxillary artery.

The function of the lateral pterygoid depends on the degree of its contraction. Bilateral
contraction of the lateral pterygoid muscles protrudes and depresses the mandible. A
unilateral contraction on a particular side, in conjunction with the ipsilateral medial
pterygoid muscle, moves the mandible to the opposite side. This allows for alternating
side-to-side movements during chewing.