Muscles of Mastication

Question 1

describe the muscles of mastication for the TMJ?

Answer 1

1. masseter
2. temporalis
3. medial pterygoid

Question 2

an enlarged masseter muscle is called?

Answer 2

hypertrophy

Question 3

wasting away of the masseter muscle is called

Answer 3

atrophy

Question 4

palpating the trigger points of the masseter and temporalis helps to see if there is any of what?

Answer 4

tenderness of the masseter muscle

Question 5

side note:

Answer 5

the muscle of mastication is what allows the mandible to move. and we know the masseter is the strongest, the BIG player in this movement of elevating the mandible up so that we can create an occlusion b/w the mandible and maxillary arch of teeth!