Muscle
Medial pterygoid
Elevates the jaw
High-yield
Mirrors masseter internally to elevate the jaw ("internal masseter"). CN V3.
Overview
A deep muscle mirroring the masseter on the inner mandible that elevates and helps protrude the jaw.
Reference facts
- Origin
- Medial surface of the lateral pterygoid plate and tuberosity of the maxilla
- Insertion
- Medial surface of the ramus and angle of the mandible
- Action
- Elevates and helps protrude the mandible; contributes to grinding movements
- Innervation
- Nerve to medial pterygoid from the mandibular division (CN V3)
- Blood supply
- Pterygoid branches of the maxillary artery
Frequently asked questions
What does the medial pterygoid do?
The medial pterygoid elevates and helps protrude the mandible; contributes to grinding movements.
What nerve innervates the medial pterygoid?
The medial pterygoid is innervated by the nerve to medial pterygoid from the mandibular division (CN V3).
Where does the medial pterygoid attach?
The medial pterygoid originates from the medial surface of the lateral pterygoid plate and tuberosity of the maxilla and inserts on the medial surface of the ramus and angle of the mandible.
What is the blood supply of the medial pterygoid?
The medial pterygoid is supplied by the pterygoid branches of the maxillary artery.