Temporalis Muscle – Attachments, Actions & Innervation

Author: Scott A. Sheffield MS

Last update:

The temporalis muscle is a broad and thin muscle of mastication located at the side of the head.

image descriptionTemporalis Muscle

Temporalis Muscle attached to the skull with other mastication muscles
Temporalis Muscle attached to the skull with other mastication muscles
Temporalis Muscle attached to the skull with other mastication muscles
Temporalis Muscle attached to the skull alone
1
2
3
4

image descriptionAttachments of Temporalis Muscle: Origin & Insertion

Origin: (proximal attachments):
Temporal lines, temporal fossa, and temporal fascia.

Insertion: (distal attachments):
Tip and medial surface of coronoid process of mandible.

Have you been making any of these common anatomy learning mistakes? 

Temporalis Muscle attached to the skull with other mastication muscles
Temporalis Muscle attached to the skull alone
Temporalis Muscle - Origin and Insertion
1
2
3

Actions of Temporalis Muscle on the mandible:

image descriptionElevates and retracts mandible at temporomandibular joint to close jaw.

Nerve to Muscle and its Spinal Segment:

Mandibular branch of trigemminal nerve (V).

Overview:

Muscles of Mastication

Temporalis Muscle - Test yourself
Temporalis Muscle - Test yourself 1
Temporalis Muscle - Test yourself 2
Temporalis Muscle - Test yourself 3
Temporalis Muscle - Test yourself 4
Temporalis Muscle - Test yourself 5
Temporalis Muscle - Test yourself 6
Temporalis Muscle - Test yourself 7
Temporalis Muscle - Test yourself 10
Test yourself while observing the Temporalis Muscle
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9