Oral function muscles Flashcards
What are the 4 essential muscles for mastication (mandibular muscles)?
- Masseter
- Temporalis
- Lateral pterygoid
- Medial pterygoid
What is the ‘origin’ of the masseter muscle?
- The zygomatic arch
What is the ‘insertion’ of the masseter muscle?
- The lateral surface and angle of the mandible
What is the ‘action’ of the masseter muscle?
- Elevates the mandible
How would you examine the masseter muscle?
- Place one finger intra-orally and the other on the cheek
In which patients would the masseter muscle be tender?
- In patients who have a clenching habit
What is the ‘origin’ of the temporalis muscle?
- The floor of the temporal fossa
What is the ‘insertion’ of the temporalis muscle?
- The coronoid process and anterior border of the ramus
What is the ‘action’ of the temporalis muscle?
- Elevates and retracts the mandible
In which type of patient will the temporalis muscle be tender?
- Patients who have a Bruxism habit
How would you examine the temporalis muscle?
- Palpate its origin by asking the patient to clench the teeth together
- Digital palpation is performed between the superior and inferior temporal lines just above the ear, extending forwards towards the supra-orbital region
What is the ‘origin’ of the lateral pterygoid muscle?
- From the lateral surface of the lateral pterygoid plate
What is the ‘insertion’ of the lateral pterygoid muscle?
- Anterior border of the condyle and intra-articular disc via two independent heads
What is the ‘function’ of the lateral pterygoid muscle?
- Protrudes and laterally deviates the mandible and the inferior head functions with the mandibular depressors during opening
Where does the inferior belly of the lateral pterygoid attach to?
- The head of the condyle
Where does the superior belly of the lateral pterygoid insert into?
- The intra-articular disc
If someone has a clicking TMJ. Which muscle has been affected?
- Spasm of the lateral pterygoid which pulls on joint
Can you examine the lateral pterygoid muscle by manual palpation?
- No
How would you examine the lateral pterygoid muscle?
- Best examined by recording its response to resisted movement
- There is a good correlation between the resisted movement test and the muscle being tender to palpation
What is the ‘origin’ of the medial pterygoid?
- Deep head; medial surface of the lateral pterygoid plate
- Superficial head: tuberosity of maxilla
What is the ‘insertion’ of the medial pterygoid?
- Medial surface of the angle of the mandible
What is the ‘action’ of the medial pterygoid?
- Elevates and assist in protrusion of the mandible
Is the medial pterygoid muscle able to be manually palpated?
- No, because of the location of the medial pterygoid, on the inside of the jaw, this muscle in not available for palpation
Can the medial pterygoid muscle be examined by resisted movement tests?
- No, it does not respond well to these