Diagram illustrating the pterygoid muscles| Muscle | Function | Innervation | Arterial supply |
|---|
| lateral pterygoid | - Mouth opening (depression of the mandible)
- Pulls head of mandibular condyle out of mandibular fossa
- Protrudes mandible
- Mastication (in conjunction with medial pterygoid)
| Mandibular branch of trigeminal (CN V3) | Maxillary artery |
| medial pterygoid | - Mastication (in conjunction with lateral pterygoid)
- Mandible elevation (close jaw)
| Mandibular branch of trigeminal (CN V3) | Maxillary artery |
The RCEM syllabus advises detailed anatomy of insertions/origins is not required.
