medial pterygoid muscle


me·di·al pter·y·goid mus·cle

(mē'dē-ăl ter'i-goyd mŭs'ĕl) Masticatory muscle of infratemporal fossa; origin, pterygoid fossa of sphenoid and tuberosity of maxilla; insertion, medial surface of mandible between angle and mylohyoid groove; action, elevates mandible closing jaw; nerve supply, nerve to medial pterygoid from mandibular division of trigeminal.
Synonym(s): internal pterygoid muscle, musculus pterygoideus internus, musculus pterygoideus medialis.

medial pterygoid muscle

Muscle of mastication. Origin: lateral pterygoid plate. Insertion: medial surface of ramus and angle of mandible. Nerve: trigeminal (CN V). Action: closes mouth, protrudes mouth, moves jaw sideways. Synonym: internal pterygoid muscleSee also: muscle