Temporalis

The temporalis (Latin: musculus temporalis) is a wide, fan-shaped muscle located on each side of the skull. This muscle covers most of the temporal bone and fills the temporal fossa. The temporalis is one of the primary muscles of mastication involved in the elevation and retraction of the lower jaw. This muscle is covered by the temporal fascia.

Origin

The temporalis muscle originates from the temporal plane below the superior temporal line of the parietal bone and the deep surface of the temporal fascia.

Insertion

The temporalis forms a tendon that inserts onto the coronoid process of the mandible.

Action

Upon activation, the temporalis muscle elevates the mandible. It also can retract the mandible by pulling it backward with its posterior fibers.

Innervation

The temporalis is innervated by the deep temporal nerve, a branch of the mandibular division of the trigeminal nerve (CN V3).

Blood supply

The temporalis is provided with the arterial blood by the deep temporal branches of the maxillary artery and middle temporal branches of the superficial temporal artery.