The muscles of mastication include the medial and lateral pterygoids, which move the mandible for elevation, protrusion, and side-to-side motion. The medial pterygoid elevates and assists in grinding, while the lateral pterygoid protracts and depresses the mandible. They are innervated by branches of the mandibular nerve. Understanding these muscles is crucial in dentistry, maxillofacial surgery, and TMJ disorder management. Knowledge of attachments, fiber orientation, and neurovascular relationships guides safe surgical access, trauma repair, and orthodontic interventions while preserving mastication function and jaw stability. Muscles of Mastication Medial and Lateral Pterygoids Diagram - Chart - diagrams and charts with labels. This diagram depicts Muscles of Mastication Medial and Lateral Pterygoids and explains the details of Muscles of Mastication Medial and Lateral Pterygoids.
Muscles of Mastication Medial and Lateral Pterygoids
