Latin: Musculus pterygoideus medialis
Definition
The inner wing muscle (Musculus pterygoideus medialis) is a masticatory muscle of the skeletal musculature and together with the Musculus temporalis and Musculus masseter it is responsible for closing the jaw. In addition, it grinds up the food taken in by pulling the lower jaw forward.
History
Base: Lower jaw bone (Fossa pterygoidea) Origin: Sphenoid bone (Fossa pterygoidea) Innervation: Medial pterygoid nerve of the mandibular nerve
Function
The inner wing muscle closes the jaw by raising the lower jaw. For this it forms the so-called ‘chewing muscle loop’ at the outer edge of the jaw with the chewing muscle (Musculus masseter), which enables a strong power development. In addition, the inner wing muscle is responsible for grinding the food that is taken in. It can also move the jaw forward through one-sided contraction and thus grind the food.
Common diseases
The inner wing muscle plays a role in diseases and malpositions of the temporomandibular joint such as craniomandibular dysfunction. You can also find further complaints of the temporomandibular joint here.
