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Lateral pterygoid

The lateral pterygoid (Latin: musculus pterygoideus lateralis) is a thick and short triangular-shaped muscle located in the infratemporal fossa of the skull. It is classified as one of the primary muscles of mastication. The lateral pterygoid muscle is composed of two heads - superior and inferior.

Lateral pterygoid
Origin

Superior head - infratemporal surface and crest of greater wing of sphenoid

Inferior head - lateral surface of lateral pterygoid plate (sphenoid bone)

InsertionPterygoid fovea of mandible
Action

Bilateral contractions - push mandible forward, depress mandible

Unilateral contraction - pushes mandible to opposite side

Innervation Lateral pterygoid nerve of mandibular nerve
Blood supply Pterygoid branches of maxillary artery, ascending palatine branch of facial artery
Lateral pterygoid, Masticatory muscles, Muscles of mastication, Head muscles
Lateral pterygoid by Anatomy.app

 

Origin

The superior head of the lateral pterygoid originates from the infratemporal surface and crest of the greater wing of the sphenoid. The inferior head of this muscle originates from the lateral surface of the lateral pterygoid plate (of the sphenoid bone).

Primary muscles of mastication, Medial pterygoid, Lateral pterygoid, Human skull, Inferior view
Primary muscles of mastication (medial and lateral pterygoids) by Anatomy.app

 

Insertion

The lateral pterygoid inserts on the pterygoid fovea of the mandible. The pterygoid fovea is located on the condylar process of the mentioned bone.

Origin and insertion of lateral pterygoid, Lateral pterygoid
Origin and insertion of lateral pterygoid by Anatomy.app

 

Action

Upon bilateral contractions, the lateral pterygoid muscles push the mandible forward (protrude the mandible). By contracting on one side, the activated lateral pterygoid muscle pushes the mandible to the opposite side. The lateral pterygoid muscles depress the mandible.

Action of lateral pterygoid, Function of lateral pterygoid, Lateral pterygoid
Action of lateral pterygoid by Anatomy.app

 

Innervation

The lateral pterygoid muscle is innervated by the lateral pterygoid nerve, a branch of the mandibular division of the trigeminal nerve (CN V3).

 

Blood supply

The lateral pterygoid is provided with the arterial blood supply by the pterygoid branches of the maxillary artery and ascending palatine branch of the facial artery.