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Pterygoid muscle (medial, anatomy)

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

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Bilaterally, the medial pterygoid is one of the muscles of mastication. It originates from two sites:

  • superficial head from the pyramidal process of the palatine bone and the tuberosity of the maxilla
  • deep head from the medial surface of the lateral pterygoid plate and the fossa separating this and the medial plate

From these origins, muscle fibres pass inferiorly, laterally and posteriorly. They insert into the medial surface of the angle of the mandible posterior to the mylohyoid groove.

Innervation is from the nerve to medial pterygoid, a branch of the mandibular nerve (Vc).

Medial pterygoid has several actions:

  • elevation of the mandible
  • protraction of the mandible when medial and lateral pterygoid muscles contract bilaterally
  • displacement of the mandible to the contralateral side when the just the ipsilateral medial and lateral pterygoid muscles contract

It has a key role in mastication.

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The content herein is provided for informational purposes and does not replace the need to apply professional clinical judgement when diagnosing or treating any medical condition. A licensed medical practitioner should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions.

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