Temporalis muscle

Author: Edwin Ocran, MBChB, MSc • Reviewer: Dimitrios Mytilinaios, MD, PhD
Last reviewed: October 30, 2023
Reading time: 2 minutes

The temporalis muscle is a broad, fan-shaped muscle that fills much of the temporal fossa. It arises from the inferior temporal line on the bony floor of the temporal fossa. As the muscle fibers descend within this fossa, they merge together forming a tendon. This tendon runs between the zygomatic arch and the infratemporal crest of the greater wing of the sphenoid bone. It then attaches to the apex, medial, anterior, and posterior surfaces of the mandibular coronoid process, as well as the anterior edge of the mandibular ramus, extending close to the third molar tooth.

The temporalis muscle receives its innervation from the deep temporal nerves, which branch off the mandibular nerve (CN V3). Its blood supply comes from two main arteries: the deep temporal arteries, branching from the maxillary artery, and the middle temporal artery, arising from the superficial temporal artery.

The primary function of the temporalis is to elevate the mandible, allowing the teeth to come together. Additionally, it aids in pulling the mandible backward after after it has been protruded and also assists in the side-to-side movement of the mandible. Together with the masseter and pterygoid muscles, the temporalis muscle is an integral part of the muscles of mastication.

Terminology	English: Temporalis muscle Latin: Musculus temporalis
Definition	Large fan-shaped muscle within the temporal fossa
Function	Elevation of mandible, closing jaws; retraction of mandible; lateral movements of the mandible

Sources

All content published on Kenhub is reviewed by medical and anatomy experts. The information we provide is grounded on academic literature and peer-reviewed research. Kenhub does not provide medical advice. You can learn more about our content creation and review standards by reading our content quality guidelines.

References:

Drake, R., Vogl, W., Mitchell, A. & Gray, H. (2015). Gray's anatomy for students. Philadelphia, PA: Churchill Livingstone/Elsevier.
Moore, K. L., Dalley, A. F., & Agur, A. M. R. (2014). Clinically Oriented Anatomy (7th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
Standring, S. (2016). Gray's Anatomy (41st ed.). Edinburgh: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone

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