Latin: Musculus temporalis
Definition
The temporal muscle is the strongest jaw-closer of the chewing muscles. This skeletal muscle works together with the masticatory muscle and the inner wing muscle to close the jaw and additionally pushes it backwards (so-called retrograde movement).
History
Base: mandible (Processus coronoideus mandibulae) Origin: temporal fossa (lateral surface of the skull) Innervation: temporal profundi nerve from the nervus mandibularis
Function
The temporal muscle closes the jaw together with the masticatory muscle and the inner wing muscle. Additionally, it can move the lower jaw backwards.
Common diseases
The temporal 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.
