Masseter Muscle – Attachments, Actions & Innervation

Author: Scott A. Sheffield MS

Last update:

The masseter is a thick, powerful muscle of mastication that functions to close the jaw and make the teeth bite down.

image descriptionMasseter Muscle

Masseter Muscle attached to the skull with other muscles
Masseter Muscle attached to the skull with other muscles
Masseter Muscle attached to the skull with other muscles
Masseter Muscle attached to the skull alone
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image descriptionAttachments of Masseter Muscle: Origin & Insertion

Origin: (proximal attachments):
Zygomatic arch (medial surface and inferior border).

Insertion: (distal attachments):
Lateral surface of angle and ramus of mandible.

Learn this topic from scratch, or identify holes in your existing knowledge, with these interactive exam-style anatomy quizzes.

Masseter Muscle attached to the skull with other muscles
Masseter Muscle attached to the skull alone
Masseter Muscle - Origin and Insertion
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Actions of Masseter Muscle on the mandible:

image descriptionElevates and protracts (protrudes) mandible to close jaw.

Nerve to Muscle and its Spinal Segment:

Mandibular branch of trigeminal nerve (V).

Overview:

Muscles of Mastication

Masseter Muscle - Test yourself
Masseter Muscle - Test yourself 1
Masseter Muscle - Test yourself 2
Masseter Muscle - Test yourself 3
Masseter Muscle - Test yourself 4
Masseter Muscle - Test yourself 5
Masseter Muscle - Test yourself 6
Masseter Muscle - Test yourself 7
Test yourself while observing the Masseter muscle
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