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Masseter | |
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![]() The left masseter muscle (red highlight), partially covered by superficial muscles such as the platysma muscle (below) and both the zygomaticus major and minor muscles | |
Details | |
Origin | Zygomatic arch and maxillary process of zygomatic bone |
Insertion | Angle surface of ramus of mandible, coronoid process |
Artery | Masseteric artery |
Nerve | Mandibular nerve (V3) |
Actions | Elevation (as in closing of the mouth) and protrusion of mandible |
Identifiers | |
Latin | musculus masseter |
MeSH | D008406 |
TA98 | A04.1.04.002 |
TA2 | 2105 |
FMA | 48996 |
Anatomical terms of muscle |
In anatomy, the masseter[help 1] is one of the muscles of mastication. Found only in mammals, it is particularly powerful in herbivores to facilitate chewing of plant matter.[5] The most obvious muscle of mastication is the masseter muscle, since it is the most superficial and one of the strongest.
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