Origin and insertion of the various muscles of mastication*
| Location | Description |
|---|---|
| Temporalis | Proximal: floor and deep surface of the temporal fossa |
| Distal: tip and medial surface of the coronoid process and anterior border of ramus of mandible | |
| Masseter | Proximal: inferior border and medial surface of zygomatic arch |
| Distal: lateral surface of ramus of mandible and its coronoid process | |
| Lateral pterygoid | Proximal superior head: infratemporal surface and infratemporal crest of greater wing of sphenoid bone |
| Proximal inferior head: lateral surface of lateral pterygoid plate | |
| Distal: neck of mandible (pterygoid fovea); articular disk and capsule of temporomandibular joint | |
| Medial pterygoid | Proximal deep head: medial surface of lateral pterygoid plate and pyramidal process of palatine bone |
| Proximal superficial head: tuberosity of maxilla | |
| Distal: medial surface of ramus of the mandible, inferior to mandibular foramen |
* The sites that have been resected or altered have been italicized.