Muscles of Mastication

Presented by Dr. Ahmed Zekry

Mastication is defined as the process of chewing food in preparation for swallowing and digestion. Four pairs of muscles in the mandible make chewing movements possible.

Four Chief

Movements that the Mandible can undergo. *Note that in the at rest position the teeth are slightly separated. 1-Depression: as in opening the mouth. 2-Elevation: as in closing the mouth. 3-Protraction: horizontal movement of the mandible anteriorly. ( A gliding movement) 4-Retraction: horizontal movement of the mandible posteriorly.( also a gliding movement) 5-Rotation: the anterior tip of the mandible is slewed from side to side.

Jaw elevators: Temporalis, Masseter, Medial pterygoid, Superior belly of the lateral pterygoid. (activated with elevators)

Jaw depressors: Inferior belly of the lateral pterygoid, Anterior digastric, Geniohyoid, Mylohyoid.

Nerve supply: The muscles of mastication are innervated by the fifth cranial nerve (trigeminal nerve) mandibular division.

Temporalis: ( fan-shaped) *Origin:Inferior temporal line *insertion: coronoid process of mandible *action: Elevates mandible; maintains closure at rest; manipulates mandible during mastication. N.B. Note that the posterior fibers of temporalis are the only retractors of the mandible

Masseter: (quadrilateral in shape) *origin: zygomatic arch *insertion: angle& ramus of mandible *action: elevate mandible in closing; manipulate mandibular position for chewing; forward movement of the mandible.

Medial pterygoid: (fig.B) *origin: medial surface of pterygoid bone *insertion: medial mandibular surface near angle& inner surface of mandibular ramus *action: elevates mandible (close); produces side to side movement during mastication; participates in chewing motion; forward movement of the mandible -Unilateral function: lateral motion to contralateral side

Lateral pterygoid: *origin: -superior: infra temporal surface of sphenoid bone -Inferior: lateral surface of lateral Pterygoid plate *insertion: -Superior: condylar head& articular disk -Inferior: neck of the condyle *action: (inferior L.P.) protrudes mandible; provides anterior sliding of mandible during jaw opening (depress) -Unilateral function: lateral motion to contralateral side

Unilateral activity of the Lateral Pterygoid

Other muscles that play an important role in mastication include: -Orbicularis oris -Buccinator

The Chief Muscles of mastication

Normal reciprocal functioning of the Lateral Pterygoids and 'Masseters/Med.Pterygoids/Temporalis