MASSETER MUSCLE Meaning and
Definition
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The masseter muscle is a powerful facial muscle located in the lower part of the cheek, responsible for the initiation of jaw movement during biting and chewing. It is one of the largest muscles in the human body, situated on each side of the face and extending from the cheekbone to the lower jawbone.
The masseter muscle is primarily involved in the process of mastication, enabling the grinding and crushing of food in order to facilitate digestion. It works in conjunction with other muscles of mastication, including the temporalis muscle, to generate the forces necessary for jaw opening and closing.
As a key player in jaw movement, the masseter muscle contributes to the overall appearance of the face, particularly the shape and contour of the lower jaw. It provides support and definition to the lower face and may influence facial aesthetics.
The masseter muscle is innervated by the trigeminal nerve, one of the largest cranial nerves in the body, which delivers signals from the brain to the muscle to initiate contraction. It receives its blood supply from a network of arteries, ensuring an adequate oxygen and nutrient supply for optimal functioning.
In some individuals, overdevelopment or hypertrophy of the masseter muscle can occur, resulting in a square or angular appearance to the jawline. This condition, known as masseter hypertrophy, may be due to factors such as excessive teeth grinding, jaw clenching, or a genetic predisposition.
Common Misspellings for MASSETER MUSCLE
- nasseter muscle
- kasseter muscle
- jasseter muscle
- mzsseter muscle
- mssseter muscle
- mwsseter muscle
- mqsseter muscle
- maaseter muscle
- mazseter muscle
- maxseter muscle
- madseter muscle
- maeseter muscle
- mawseter muscle
- masaeter muscle
- maszeter muscle
- masxeter muscle
- masdeter muscle
- maseeter muscle
- masweter muscle
- masswter muscle
Etymology of MASSETER MUSCLE
The word "Masseter" originates from the Latin term "massētēr" which is derived from the Greek word "massētḗr". It literally means "eater" or "chewer". This refers to the primary function of the masseter muscle, which is to facilitate chewing and grinding of food.
