Medial Pterygoid
Jaw & Mouth
The medial pterygoid is like the “inside masseter.” It sits on the inner side of the jaw and forms a powerful sling with the masseter to help you bite down.
Function
Elevates the mandible to close the jaw, assists with protrusion of the mandible, and helps create side-to-side grinding movements during chewing.
Origin
Deep head: medial surface of the lateral pterygoid plate and pyramidal process of the palatine bone. Superficial head: maxillary tuberosity.
Insertion
Medial surface of the ramus and angle of the mandible, near the pterygoid tuberosity.
Innervation
Nerve to medial pterygoid from the mandibular division of the trigeminal nerve (CN V3).