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Quizzes > Health & Medicine > Human Anatomy & Medicine

Ready to Master the Muscles of Mastication? Take the Quiz!

Identify the muscles that elevate the mandible and ace this quiz!

Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art illustration of mandible and chewing muscles side view on coral background, mastication function quiz

Use this quiz to review muscles of mastication function and see if you can name the jaw muscles that lift the mandible. You'll pick the true chewing muscles, match each to its action, and catch any weak spots before an exam. When you're done, keep practicing with the head muscles quiz .

Which nerve provides motor innervation to the muscles of mastication?
Glossopharyngeal nerve (IX)
Facial nerve (VII)
Mandibular branch of the trigeminal nerve (V3)
Maxillary branch of the trigeminal nerve (V2)
The muscles of mastication (masseter, temporalis, medial and lateral pterygoid) are innervated by the mandibular division of the trigeminal nerve (V3), which carries their motor fibers. This branch exits the skull through the foramen ovale. Injury to V3 affects mastication but not facial expression.
Which muscle is primarily responsible for elevating the mandible during biting?
Sternocleidomastoid
Masseter
Lateral pterygoid
Buccinator
The masseter muscle is a powerful elevator of the mandible, generating the majority of bite force. It originates from the zygomatic arch and inserts on the lateral surface of the mandibular ramus. It works in concert with the medial pterygoid to raise the jaw.
Which muscle of mastication is primarily involved in opening (depressing) the mandible?
Masseter
Lateral pterygoid
Temporalis
Medial pterygoid
The lateral pterygoid depresses the mandible by pulling the condyle and articular disc forward on the temporal bone. It has two heads that insert on the condylar neck and capsule of the TMJ. This action allows the mouth to open.
What is the main action of the temporalis muscle?
Lateral excursion of the mandible
Protrudes the mandible
Elevates and retracts the mandible
Depresses the mandible
The temporalis muscle elevates the mandible through its vertical fibers and retracts it via its horizontal posterior fibers. It originates from the temporal fossa and inserts on the coronoid process of the mandible. This dual action makes it important for both clenching and grinding.
Which muscle primarily protrudes the mandible?
Masseter
Temporalis
Lateral pterygoid
Medial pterygoid
Bilateral contraction of the lateral pterygoid pulls the mandibular condyle forward, protruding the mandible. This muscle works with the medial pterygoid to assist in forward translation. It is essential for movements like opening wide and grinding.
The superficial head of the masseter muscle originates from which structure?
Mandibular condyle
Styloid process
Temporal fossa
Zygomatic arch
The superficial head of the masseter arises from the maxillary process of the zygomatic bone and the anterior two-thirds of the inferior border of the zygomatic arch. It inserts on the lateral surface of the mandibular ramus. This origin gives it a strong lever arm for elevation.
Into which part of the mandible does the medial pterygoid muscle insert?
Condylar neck
Coronoid process
Medial surface of the mandibular ramus and angle
Mandibular notch
The medial pterygoid inserts on the medial aspect of the mandibular ramus and angle, mirroring the masseter on the lateral side. This attachment elevates the jaw and assists in medial excursion. It forms part of the masticatory sling.
Unilateral contraction of a lateral pterygoid muscle results in which movement of the mandible?
Contralateral excursion
Pure depression
Pure elevation
Ipsilateral excursion
When one lateral pterygoid contracts, it pulls the condyle of that side forward and medially, causing the jaw to move toward the opposite side. This action is called contralateral excursion. It is important for grinding movements.
The temporalis muscle is characterized by what general fiber orientation?
Fan-shaped with fibers converging to a tendon
Parallel fibers running vertically
Horizontal fibers only
Circular fibers around the mandible
The temporalis is a broad, fan-shaped muscle that arises from the temporal fossa and converges into a narrow tendon inserting on the coronoid process. This arrangement allows multiphasic action, including powerful elevation and retraction.
Which artery is the primary blood supply to the muscles of mastication?
Maxillary artery
Facial artery
Superficial temporal artery
External carotid artery
The maxillary artery, a terminal branch of the external carotid artery, supplies deep facial structures including the muscles of mastication via branches like the masseteric and pterygoid arteries. These branches enter through the infratemporal fossa.
How many heads does the medial pterygoid muscle typically have?
Four
Three
One
Two (superficial and deep)
The medial pterygoid muscle has two heads: a superficial head from the maxillary tuberosity and a deep head from the medial surface of the lateral pterygoid plate. Both heads converge onto the medial ramus.
In the lateral pterygoid muscle, the superior head primarily attaches to which structure?
Coronoid process of mandible
Articular disc and capsule of TMJ
Zygomatic arch
Mylohyoid line
The superior head of the lateral pterygoid inserts on the articular disc and capsule of the temporomandibular joint. This attachment helps to stabilize the disc during jaw movements, especially closing. Dysfunction here can lead to TMJ disorders.
Which pharyngeal arch gives rise to the muscles of mastication during embryologic development?
Second pharyngeal arch
Third pharyngeal arch
First pharyngeal arch
Fourth pharyngeal arch
The muscles of mastication develop from mesoderm of the first pharyngeal arch and are innervated by the mandibular division of the trigeminal nerve (V3). Other first?arch derivatives include the malleus, incus, and parts of the maxilla and mandible.
Which of the following arteries passes between the two heads of the lateral pterygoid muscle?
Inferior alveolar artery
Lingual artery
Maxillary artery
Facial artery
The maxillary artery courses through the infratemporal fossa, splitting into parts that run between the superior and inferior heads of the lateral pterygoid. This relationship is clinically relevant in regional anesthesia.
During the power stroke of mastication, which muscle shows the highest activity?
Medial pterygoid
Buccinator
Digastric
Lateral pterygoid
EMG studies indicate that the medial pterygoid is most active during the power stroke of chewing, providing strong elevation and medial thrust. It works against the masseter to generate high bite forces.
Bilateral contraction of the deep (posterior) fibers of the temporalis muscle produces what action?
Protrusion of the mandible
Depression of the mandible
Lateral excursion
Retraction of the mandible
The posterior fibers of the temporalis run more horizontally and, when they contract bilaterally, pull the mandible backward (retraction). This is important for closing and stabilizing the jaw.
Which muscle's tendon must be incised or retracted to surgically access the mandibular condyle in certain approaches?
Masseter
Temporalis
Lateral pterygoid
Medial pterygoid
The lateral pterygoid inserts onto the neck of the mandibular condyle and the articular disc. In certain surgical approaches to the TMJ or condylar fractures, this tendon must be reflected or incised to expose the joint.
The resultant force vector of the masseter and medial pterygoid muscles forms what anatomical construct that stabilizes the mandible?
The mandibular sling
The parotid sheath
The hyoid sling
The submandibular fascia
The masseter and medial pterygoid muscles on either side of the mandible create a muscular sling that supports and stabilizes the jaw during function. This configuration is key for efficient force transmission.
Unilateral hyperactivity of which muscle often leads to anterior displacement of the TMJ articular disc?
Masseter
Medial pterygoid
Temporalis
Lateral pterygoid
Excessive contraction of the lateral pterygoid pulls the articular disc anteriorly, contributing to internal derangement of the TMJ and disc displacement. This mechanism underlies many TMJ disorders.
Damage to the mandibular branch of the trigeminal nerve results in the loss of which reflex?
Pupillary light reflex
Jaw jerk reflex
Corneal reflex
Gag reflex
The jaw jerk reflex (masseter reflex) is a stretch reflex mediated by the mandibular branch of the trigeminal nerve. Lesions of V3 motor fibers abolish this reflex, indicating motor pathway compromise.
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Study Outcomes

  1. Identify Muscles of Mastication -

    Recognize the four primary muscles of mastication and their anatomical locations within the skull.

  2. Explain Mandible-Elevating Function -

    Describe which of these muscles elevates the mandible during chewing and how each contributes to jaw closure.

  3. Differentiate Jaw Muscle Types -

    Distinguish muscles that elevate the mandible from other facial muscles based on origin, insertion, and action.

  4. Apply Anatomical Knowledge -

    Use your understanding of the anatomy of muscles of mastication to answer quiz questions in clinical and academic contexts.

  5. Analyze Clinical Scenarios -

    Interpret scenarios to determine which of the following are considered muscles of mastication affected in various jaw disorders.

  6. Reinforce Functional Comprehension -

    Solidify your grasp of muscles of mastication function through interactive quiz feedback, ensuring you can recall key details under pressure.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Primary Mandible Elevators -

    Masseter, temporalis, and medial pterygoid form the core muscles of mastication responsible for elevating the mandible (Gray's Anatomy Online). The masseter delivers the strongest bite force, the temporalis fans out for vertical and retrusive pulls, and the medial pterygoid adds elevation with an inward motion (University of Washington Anatomy). Recognizing their bony attachments - from zygomatic arch to ramus, temporal fossa to coronoid process, and pterygoid plate to medial ramus - helps you map muscle direction and function.

  2. Lateral Pterygoid: Protrusion & Depression -

    The lateral pterygoid has two heads that attach to the condyle and articular disc of the TMJ, enabling protrusion and slight depression of the mandible (Johns Hopkins University). Unlike other mastication muscles, it helps open the jaw by pulling the condyle forward, making it essential for initiating chewing cycles. Remember that weakness here leads to deviation of the jaw toward the affected side during opening.

  3. Innervation by Mandibular Nerve (V3) -

    All muscles of mastication are innervated by the mandibular branch of the trigeminal nerve (CN V3), which provides motor signals and proprioception (Neuroscience Textbook). Lesions in V3 reduce bite strength and cause jaw deviation toward the lesion because unopposed contralateral muscles pull the mandible. A handy mnemonic is "My Teacher Makes Lessons" for the four muscles - Masseter, Temporalis, Medial and Lateral pterygoid - under V3.

  4. Biomechanics & Bite Force -

    Bite force correlates with muscle cross-sectional area (CSA) using the formula Force ≈ CSA × specific tension (≈30 N/cm²) (Journal of Biomechanics). The masseter's large CSA yields a bite force up to 600 - 900 N in humans. Visualizing lever systems - like how the masseter acts on the mandibular angle - clarifies mechanical advantage in mastication.

  5. Mnemonic Magic for Muscle Mastery -

    Use the phrase "My Teacher Makes Lessons" to recall the four muscles of mastication: Masseter, Temporalis, Medial pterygoid, and Lateral pterygoid (UCSF School of Dentistry). By linking each initial to an image of teachers lifting books (representing the jaw), you tap into visual memory for durable recall. This mnemonic trick turns dry anatomy into a vivid story, boosting your confidence before quizzes and exams.

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