Temporal Muscle

One of the muscles of mastication, also to be known as temporalis, is called temporal muscle. The use of these muscles is to crush objects between molars. It covers much of the temporal bone superior to zygomatic arch. It is a broad fan shaped muscle filling temporal fossa on each side of the head.

Anterior | Laterally

Omohyoid Muscle Trapezius Muscle Masseter Muscle Orbicularis Oris Muscle Mentalis Muscle Depressor Labii Inferioris Muscle Depressor Anguli Oris Muscle Buccinator Muscle Zygomaticus Major Muscle Zygomaticus Minor Muscle Levator Labii Superioris Muscle Temporal Muscle Orbicularis Oculi Muscle Sternocleidomastoid Muscle Frontalis Muscle

Temporal Muscle

Origin and insertion

It originates from deep part of temporal fascia and temporal fossa and passing medial to zygomatic arch it is inserted onto the coronoid process of the mandible.

Embryology

In development Temporalis is derived from first pharyngeal arch.

Intervation of Nerves

These muscles are supplied by a branch of trigeminal nerve. To be precise the innervations is through deep temporal nerves.

Blood Suply

The muscles receive the blood supply from deep temporal arteries and middle temporal artery.

Functions

Clenched and unclenched jaw contracts this muscle.

For raising the lower jaw; the entire muscle contracts and elevate mandible. This occurs during closing of jaw.

However if only posterior part contracts the muscles causes the lower jaw to move backward. This action is called retraction of jaw.

Headache Affiliation

According to neurological researchers due to its location and use this muscle may be the primary cause for tension and headache pain.

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