Masseter
Overview
- Masseter is one of the muscles of mastication
- One of the strongest and most superficial mastication muscles
- It has two heads: superficial and deep. Both insert onto the ramus of mandible
- Masseter is located in the parotid region
- Note the parotid duct travels across its lateral surface
Origin and insertion
- Origin: zygomatic arch
- Inserts: ramus of the mandible
Innervation and action
- Innervation: mandibular division (V3) of the trigeminal nerve (as are all the muscles of mastication)
- Action: elevate mandible / close jaw
images showing anatomy of masseter and muscles of mastication
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images showing points of insertion of the muscles of mastication onto the mandible
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