Muscles of mastication

The muscles of mastication are the 4 large, paired muscles that power the elevation and lateral movements of the jaw:

• temporalis m.

• masseter m.

• medial pterygoid m.

• lateral pterygoid m.

All 4 muscles of mastication are innervated by the motor branch of CN V3 (the mandibular n.).Although other, smaller muscles are involved in depression of the mandible, they are not considered muscles of mastication.