Pterygoid muscles

Pterygoid Muscles

The Pterygoid Muscles (pronunciation: /tɛrɪɡɔɪd/) are a pair of muscles located in the human skull. They are part of the muscles of mastication, which are responsible for movements of the jaw during chewing and speaking. The name "pterygoid" is derived from the Greek words "pteryx" and "eidos", meaning "wing" and "form" respectively, due to the wing-like shape of the muscles.

Anatomy

The Pterygoid Muscles are divided into two distinct muscles: the Lateral Pterygoid Muscle and the Medial Pterygoid Muscle.

Lateral Pterygoid Muscle

The Lateral Pterygoid Muscle is a short, thick muscle that originates from the greater wing and lateral pterygoid plate of the sphenoid bone, and inserts into the neck of the mandible and the articular disc of the temporomandibular joint.

Medial Pterygoid Muscle

The Medial Pterygoid Muscle is a thick, quadrilateral muscle that originates from the medial side of the lateral pterygoid plate, the pyramidal process of the palatine bone, and the tuberosity of the maxilla. It inserts into the medial surface of the angle and lower half of the mandible.

Function

The Pterygoid Muscles, in conjunction with other muscles of mastication, are responsible for the complex movements of the jaw that allow for chewing and speaking. The Lateral Pterygoid Muscle primarily acts to protrude the mandible and move it from side to side, while the Medial Pterygoid Muscle acts to elevate the mandible and move it from side to side.

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Pterygoid muscles

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