mastication Flashcards
what are the main 4 muscles involved in mastication
masseter (in posterior aspect of cheek)
temporalis (felt on side of head)
medial pterygoid
lateral pterygoid
which of the two muscles are more superficial
masseter
temporalis
what do these muscles move
1 bone (mandible) around TMJs
which nerve controls the muscles of mastication
trigeminal
what has to occur for normal functioning to be achieved
actions on one side have to be co-ordinated with actions on the other side
which three of the muscles are involved in elevation of the mandible (generates biting forces)
masseter
temporalis
medial pterygoid
what do the actions of the tmj include
- not fully understood
- rotation
- anteroposterior translation (sliding) of mandibular condylar head
what is the function of the fibrocartilagenous disc (articular disc of fibre cartridge)
- sits on top of head of mandible
- separated the tmj capsule into 2 completely separate joint spaces (a superior and inferior compartment)
how do muscles of mastication move the mandible around
work around the TMJ
attach to the mandible and to the cranium
so when they shorten (contract) they move the mandible round
how can the masseter be felt from the outside
if we clench our teeth together
feel it contracting in cheek (a few cm in front of the ear)
where does the masseter run from
most superficial
from zygomatic arch
runs down and backwards to insert into external / superficial surface of mandibular ramus near the angle which is fixed in position (so masseter elevates it by contracting, increasing biting forces)
what happens when the masseter contracts
- because the zygomatic arch is fixed and the mandible is mobile
- pulls / rotates the mandible upwards
- masseter is responsible for elevating mandible for generating biting forces
what forces are generated between the teeth when theyre occluded
biting forces (as theyre clenched together)
which nerve supplies the masseter muscle
- the nerve to masseter
- branch of mandibular division (V3) of trigeminal nerve
how can the temporalis be felt from the outside
contracting on side of head when clench teeth
where does the temporalis run
between temporal fossa on side of skull
inserts into the coronoid process of the mandible
what type of insertion does the temporalis have into the coronoid process and why
- extensive
- part of it runs all way down anterior surface of coronoid process to where it stops behind 3rd molar
- needs this because it is a large powerful muscle so needs to stay attached to bone its working on when it contracts
which types of fibres does the temporalis have
- vertical
- horizontal
- oblique
what do the vertical fibres do
- elevate the mandible when they get shorter
- contributing to biting forces
what do the horizontal fibres do
- retract the condylar head of the mandible when they get shorter
what do the oblique fibres do
contribute to both elevation and retraction