Share of Cost – Muscles that Connect to TMJ
The following key muscles connect to the TMJ: Your TMJs are involved in many repetitive daily functions. Every time you open or close your mouth, chew, talk or yawn, the TMJ is active. The following is the key muscles that connect to the TMJ
- Masseter. The most powerful jaw muscle in mastication, or chewing, the masseter lifts your jaw and closes your mouth.
- Pterygoid muscles. The lateral and medial pterygoids are involved in jaw-lifting, mouth-closing and sliding your jaw forward or from side to side.
- Temporalis muscle. The temporalis, which runs from the temporal bone at each side of the head to the bony part of the lower jaw, is a chewing muscle involved in crushing and grinding.
Your TMJs are involved in many repetitive daily functions. Every time you open or close your mouth, chew, talk or yawn, the TMJ is active.