Chewing Muscles

Mastication, or chewing, involves the adduction and lateral motions of the jaw bone. It is controlled by four muscles of the face.

Learning Objective

Differentiate between the actions of the masseter and the temporalis muscles in chewing

Key Points

The masseter elevates the jaw, closing the mouth.
The temporalis elevates and retracts the jaw.
The lateral pterygoid is the only muscle of mastication that actively opens the jaw. Unilateral action of a lateral pterygoid produces lateral movement in the jaw, usually performed in concert with the medial pterygoids.
The medial pterygoid elevates and closes the jaw, contributes to protrusion of the mandible, and assists in mastication.

Terms

medial pterygoid
A muscle of mastication with two heads. It lies inferiorly to the medial pterygoid.
temporalis
A broad muscle that fans out to cover much of the temporal bone on the side of the skull.
lateral pterygoid
A muscle of mastication with two heads. It lies superiorly to the medial pterygoid.
masseter
The large muscle which raises the lower jaw, and assists in mastication.

Full Text

Mastication, or the act of chewing, involves adduction and lateral motion of the jaw bone. It is controlled by four bilateral muscles in the face. The lower jaw, or mandible, connects to the temporal bone of the skull via the temporomandibular joint, which allows movement in all planes.

Masseter - The most powerful muscle of mastication. It is quadrangular in shape and split into two regions, deep and superficial. It covers the other muscles of mastication.

Attachments - The superficial region originates from the skull below the eye socket, while the deep part originates from the skull above the jaw. Both parts attach to the jaw.
Actions - Elevates the jaw.

Location of the masseter muscle

The masseter muscle spans the opening of the mouth.

This diagram depicts the masseter muscle in relation to the opening of parotid duct, submaxillary duct, anterior facial vein, sternocleidomastoideus, lygomatic arch, parotid gland, tongue, and sublingual gland.

Temporalis - A broad muscle that fans out to cover much of the temporal bone on the side of the skull.

Attachments – The temporalis muscle has a wide, fan-shaped origin on the side of the skull and condenses into a tendon which attaches to the jaw.
Actions - Elevates and retracts the jaw.

Location of the temporalis muscle

Highlighted in orange, the temporalis muscle is a broad muscle extending from zygomatic bone.

This diagram depicts the temporalis muscle in relation to regions of the skull including parietal, frontal, zygomatic, mandible, and temporal.

Lateral Pterygoid - The lateral pterygoid muscle has a triangular shape with two head, superior and inferior. It is the major protractor (opener) of the jaw.

Attachments - Both heads originate adjacent to the eye socket and converge into a tendon which attaches to the jaw.
Actions - Together, the lateral pterygoids protract the jaw, working independently to produce lateral movement.

Medial Pterygoid - The medial pterygoid muscle has a quadrangular shape with two heads, deep and superficial. It is located inferior to the lateral pterygoid.

Attachments: The superficial head originates from the front of the skull and the deep head attaches to the skull adjacent to the eye socket. Both heads attach to the jaw.
Actions: Elevates the jaw and assists in the production of lateral movement.