TMJ & Infratemporal Fossa Mastery: Temporalis, Masseter, Medial & Lateral Pterygoids (Superior/Inferior Heads), Jaw Elevation/Depression, Protrusion/Retraction, V3 Mandibular Nerve (Anterior/Posterior Divisions), Deep Temporal, Masseteric, Lateral Pterygo

TMJ & Infratemporal Fossa Mastery: Temporalis, Masseter, Medial & Lateral Pterygoids (Superior/Inferior Heads), Jaw Elevation/Depression, Protrusion/Retraction, V3 Mandibular Nerve (Anterior/Posterior Divisions), Deep Temporal, Masseteric, Lateral Pterygoid, Buccal, Auriculotemporal, Lingual, Inferior Alveolar, Chorda Tympani, Otic Ganglion, Lesser Petrosal, Maxillary Artery Branches (Middle Meningeal, Accessory Meningeal, Deep Temporal, Buccal), Sphenomandibular & Stylomandibular Ligaments, TMJ Superior/Inferior Cavities, Hinge/Gliding Motion, Jaw Opening Muscles, Inferior Alveolar & Lingual Lesions, Auriculotemporal Syndrome (Frey’s), Temporal Arteritis/Giant Cell Arteritis, IT Fossa Boundaries & Contents (TM COP) Exam Questions Verified and Provided with A+ Graded Rationales Latest Updated 2026 Temporalis muscle Action (bilateral) Innervation Attachments Action: elevate & retract mandible Bilateral: Jaw ADduction Innervation: Deep Temporal Branches (Ant. division of V3) Attachments: Temporal Fascia (floor or temp. fossa) to Coronoid Process Masseter Action (bilateral) Innervation Attachments Action: Elevate jaw, some retraction and dorsolateral motion (muscle of mastication) Bilateral: Jaw ADduction Innervation: Masseteric Branch (Ant. division of V3) Attachments: Zygomatic arch to lateral ramus/lateral angel of mandible Medial pterygoid [Intermediate Layer m.] Action Innervation Attachment Action: Elevates and protrudes jaw, counters lateral pull from other muscle of mastication Bilateral: Elevate, close, protrude jaw Innervation: medial nerve to pterygoid (branch of V3) Attachment: Medial face of lateral pterygoid plate of sphenoid to Medial side of mandibular angle What two heads make up the medial Pterygoid What is the most lateral of the pterygoid muscles? Deep Head & Superficial (Orbital) Head superficial head of medial pterygoid What does the medial nerve to pterygoid also send branches too? What ganglion? Tensor muscles - perforates otic ganglion Lateral pterygoid [Most Superficial m.] Action (HY) Innervation Attachment What two heads make up the lateral pterygoid Action: pulls articular disc anteriorly protrudes & depresses jaw (OPENS MOUTH) Innervation: Lateral Pterygoid branches (anterior branch of V3) Attachment (LY): Superior: greater wing of sphenoid to anterior side of TMJ Inferior: lateral pteryogid plate of sphenoid to anterior condylar process Superior Head & Inferior Head What muscles open the jaw? (HY/TQ) lateral pterygoid Jaw Opening Muscles (Depressor) Anterior Belly of Digastric requires simultaneous contraction of "infrahyoid " muscles to provide rigid "sling" on hyoid bone Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) 1. Definition 2. Overall motion at TMJ Synovial joint between mandibular fossa (glenoid fossa) and mandibular condyle Articular disc present and splits the TMJ into two function cavities: 1. Superior Cavity 2. Inferior Cavity Overal Motion: Gliding (translation) & rotation What are the actions of: 1. Superior cavity of TMJ 2. Inferior cavity of TMJ gliding (Protrusion Ret