Which are functions of the medial and lateral pterygoid muscles?

The medial pterygoid muscle attaches to the angle of the mandible and to the lateral pterygoid plate to form a sling with the masseter muscle that suspends the mandible (Figure 6-19). The primary action is to elevate the mandible and laterally deviate it to the opposite side.

What is the function of lateral pterygoid muscles?

The Lateral pterygoid muscle is active during mastication and during mandibular movements such as protrusion (forward movement of the mandible), abduction (depression of the mandible), mediotrusion (movement of the mandibular condyle towards the midline), and particularly during speaking, singing, and clenching.

What is action of medial pterygoid muscle?

Medial pterygoid muscle

Where is the medial and lateral pterygoid?

The medial pterygoid muscle, a major elevator of the jaw is a square-shaped masticatory muscle, located on the medial aspect of the lower jaw bilaterally. It is also known as internal pterygoid muscle. This muscle lies medial to the lateral pterygoid muscle.

What muscles attach to the medial pterygoid plate?

The two plates diverge behind and enclose between them a V-shaped fossa, the pterygoid fossa, which contains the medial pterygoid muscle and the tensor veli palatini. Above this fossa is a small, oval, shallow depression, the scaphoid fossa, which gives origin to the tensor veli palatini.

What muscles attach to medial pterygoid plate?

Its lateral surface forms part of the medial wall of the infratemporal fossa, and gives attachment to the lateral pterygoid muscle; its medial surface forms part of the pterygoid fossa, and gives attachment to the medial pterygoid muscle….

How do you relax a medial pterygoid muscle?

Open your jaw and slide your finger in to the inner side of that bone . The muscle is right there. Apply mild to moderate pressure and wait for it to relax. Hold until it relaxes.

How do you test for medial pterygoid?

To palpate from outside the mouth, the head is tilted slightly to access the muscle. Palpation with one finger locates trigger points on the inner surface of the mandible by pressing upward at its angle. Palpation of the mid-belly is performed inside the mouth with the pad of the palpating index finger.

What attaches to Pterygoid process?

Lateral pterygoid plate Its lateral surface forms part of the medial wall of the infratemporal fossa, and gives attachment to the lateral pterygoid muscle; its medial surface forms part of the pterygoid fossa, and gives attachment to the medial pterygoid muscle.

How do you test a medial pterygoid muscle?

What is the function of the lateral pterygoid muscle?

The lateral pterygoid muscle is one of the two “wing muscles” located on the inner surface of the mandible. It belongs to the muscles of mastication (chewing muscles) and is involved in the movements of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ).

Where does the insertion of the medial pterygoid take place?

Given that the origin is on the medial side of the lateral pterygoid plate and the insertion is from the internal surface of the ramus of the mandible down to the angle of the mandible, its functions include: Excursion of the mandible; contralateral excursion occurs with unilateral contraction.

How is the medial pterygoid related to the parotid gland?

Near its insertion, the outer surface of the medial pterygoid muscle is related to the process of the parotid gland. The inner surface of the muscle is in relation to tensor veli palatini, styloglossus and salpingopharyngeus muscles. The latter two muscles separate the medial pterygoid muscle from the superior pharyngeal constrictor.

Where are the pterygoid muscles located in the skull?

The pterygoid muscles are two of the four muscles of mastication , located in the infratemporal foss a of the skull . These muscles are: lateral pterygoid  and medial pterygoid .