Muscles of mastication

Muscles of mastication
Mandibular division of the trigeminal nerve.
Details
Nerve	Mandibular nerve
Identifiers
Latin	musculi masticatorii
MeSH	D008410
TA98	A04.1.04.001
TA2	2104
FMA	74060
Anatomical terms of muscle [edit on Wikidata]

The four classical muscles of mastication elevate the mandible (closing the jaw) and move it forward/backward and laterally, facilitating biting and chewing. Other muscles are responsible for opening the jaw, namely the geniohyoid, mylohyoid, and digastric muscles (the lateral pterygoid may play a role).