| Medial pterygoid | |
|---|---|
 The pterygoidei; the zygomatic arch and a portion of the ramus of the mandible have been removed. (Internus is visible at center bottom.) | |
 The otic ganglion and its branches. (Pterygoideus internus labeled at bottom right.) | |
| Details | |
| Origin | Deep head: medial side of lateral pterygoid plate behind the upper teeth Superficial head: pyramidal process of palatine bone and maxillary tuberosity |
| Insertion | Medial angle of the mandible |
| Artery | Pterygoid branches of maxillary artery |
| Nerve | Mandibular nerve via nerve to medial pterygoid |
| Actions | Elevates mandible, closes jaw, helps lateral pterygoids in moving the jaw from side to side |
| Identifiers | |
| Latin | musculus pterygoideus medialis, musculus pterygoideus internus |
| TA98 | A04.1.04.009 |
| TA2 | 2113 |
| FMA | 49011 |
| Anatomical terms of muscle | |
The medial pterygoid muscle (or internal pterygoid muscle) is a thick, quadrilateral muscle of the face. It is supplied by the mandibular branch of the trigeminal nerve (V). It is important in mastication (chewing).