temporalis muscle

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temporalis muscle

The student points to the temporalis muscle on a diagram of the human skull.

Definition

Noun: * A major muscle of mastication (chewing) located on each side of the head. It originates from the temporal fossa (a depression on the side of the skull) and inserts into the coronoid process of the mandible (lower jawbone). Its primary action is to elevate the mandible, closing the jaws and enabling biting and chewing.

Usage Examples
  • The temporalis muscle is one of the strongest muscles in the human body relative to its size.
  • Dentists and anatomists study the function of the temporalis muscle.
  • Clenching your teeth engages the temporalis muscle, which you can feel contracting at your temples.
Advanced Usage
  • Clinical Context: In medical and dental fields, dysfunction or pain in the temporalis muscle is often associated with temporomandibular joint disorders (TMJ/TMD). It is frequently examined for tenderness or trigger points.
  • Comparative Anatomy: The development and size of the temporalis muscle are often discussed in comparative anatomy to understand dietary adaptations (e.g., in carnivores versus herbivores).
Variants and Related Words
  • Temporalis (noun): The abbreviated or alternative form of "temporalis muscle," commonly used in anatomical terminology.
  • Temporal muscle (noun): A synonymous term.
  • Musculus temporalis (noun): The formal Latin term used in precise anatomical nomenclature.
Synonyms
  • Temporal muscle
  • Chewing muscle (This is a broader, less precise term that can refer to the masseter and pterygoid muscles as well.)
Related Phrases and Terms
  • Temporal fossa: The bony area on the side of the skull where the temporalis muscle originates.
  • Coronoid process: The bony projection on the mandible where the temporalis muscle inserts.
  • Elevation of the mandible: The primary action performed by the temporalis muscle.
  • Muscle of mastication: The functional category to which the temporalis muscle belongs, along with the masseter and pterygoid muscles.
temporalis muscle

The student points to the temporalis muscle on a diagram of the human skull.

Noun
  1. muscle extending from the temporal fossa to the coronoid process of the mandible; acts to raise the mandible and close the jaws

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