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Lateral pterygoid

Contents

Anatomy pictures

Lateral pterygoid internal
Lateral pterygoid external
Lateral pterygoid lateral

Referred pain pattern

Lateral pterygoid - pain pattern

Symptoms

  • Clicking of TM joint
  • Disharmony in contact between teeth (malocclusion)
  • Maxillary sinus pain
  • Sinusitis, excessive secretion
  • Tinnitus
  • Bruxism
  • Clenching teeth, nail biting, gum chewing (excessive)
  • Lateral deviation when opening or closing the mouth

Videos

Short version

Detailed version

Anatomy

Position

  • Deep

Origin

  • Lateral surface of great wing of sphenoid (superior head)
  • Infratemporal crest (superior head)
  • Lateral surface of lateral pterygoid plate (inferior head)

Insertion

  • The capsule of the temperomandibular joint (superior head)
  • Articular disc of the temperomandibular joint (superior head)
  • Collum mandibulae

Main function

  • TM joint
    • Protraction mandibula

Secondary function

  • TM joint
    • Contralateral deviation mandibula

Nerve innervation

  • Trigeminal nerve / CN V, mandibular division

Arterial supply

  • Maxillary artery