Temporalis muscle
Updates to Article Attributes
The temporalis muscle is one of the muscles of mastication. It is responsible for both closing the mouth and retraction (posterior fibres).
Summary
- origin: temporal fossa between the infratemporal crest and inferior temporal line on the parietal bone; deep surface of the temporalis fascia
- insertion: coronoid process and ramus of mandible
- innervation: deep temporal nerves, branches off the anterior division of the mandibular division of the trigeminal nerve
- action: elevate and retract the mandible
Gross anatomy
Temporalis is a broad, radiating muscle, situated at the side of the head which arises from the whole of thetemporal fossa (except that portion of it which is formed by the zygomatic bone) and from the deep surface of the temporal fascia. Its fibres converge as they descend, and end in a tendon, which passes deep to the zygomatic arch and inserts on the medial surface, apex, and anterior border of the coronoid process of the mandible, and the anterior border of the ramus of the mandible nearly as far forward as the last molar tooth.
Blood supply
Deep temporal branches of the maxillary artery and contributions from the middle temporal artery.
Innervation
The muscle is supplied by the deep temporal nerves of the anterior division of the mandibular nerve. It may also receive branches from the middle temporal nerve.
Action
- upper and anterior fibres: close the jaws
- posterior fibres: retract the mandible
- side-to-side movements of the mandible
-<strong>innervation:</strong> <a href="/articles/deep-temporal-nerves">deep temporal nerves</a>, branches off the <a title="anterior division of the mandibular division" href="/articles/anterior-division-of-the-mandibular-nerve">anterior division of the mandibular division</a> of the <a href="/articles/trigeminal-nerve">trigeminal nerve</a>- +<strong>innervation:</strong> <a href="/articles/deep-temporal-nerves">deep temporal nerves</a>, branches off the <a href="/articles/anterior-division-of-the-mandibular-nerve">anterior division of the mandibular division</a> of the <a href="/articles/trigeminal-nerve">trigeminal nerve</a>