Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 20, 2026

Isolation and Characterization of Satellite Cells from Rat Head Branchiomeric Muscles
Published on: July 20, 2015
Anomalous muscle adjacent to temporalis
1Academic Department of Anatomy and Human Sciences, Guy's, King's and St Thomas's School of Medicine, King's College, London, United Kingdom. matee.ullah@kcl.ac.uk
A newly identified anomalous muscle in the infratemporal fossa may alter understanding of mastication anatomy. This distinct muscle, separate from the temporalis and sphenomandibularis, offers new insights into jaw function.
Area of Science:
- Anatomy
- Human Morphology
- Mastication
Background:
- The temporalis muscle is crucial for mastication.
- Recent anatomical studies have debated the precise structure and variations of masticatory muscles, including the proposed sphenomandibularis muscle.
Observation:
- This case report details an anomalous muscle discovered within the infratemporal fossa.
- The observed muscle is anatomically distinct from both the temporalis and the purported sphenomandibularis.
Findings:
- The anomalous muscle was found to be separate from the temporalis and sphenomandibularis.
- Functional analysis suggests this muscle can retract the buccinator muscle during jaw closure.
Implications:
- This finding necessitates a revision of the detailed anatomy of masticatory muscles.
- Understanding this anomalous muscle's function may have implications for surgical procedures and understanding of temporomandibular joint disorders.
More Related Videos
19:53Single-stage Dynamic Reanimation of the Smile in Irreversible Facial Paralysis by Free Functional Muscle Transfer
Published on: March 1, 2015
06:46In Vivo Functional Assessment of Rat Masseter Muscle Following Surgical Creation of a Volumetric Muscle Loss (VML) Injury
Published on: November 15, 2024
Related Concept Videos
Muscles of the Anterior Neck
Muscles for Facial Expressions
Muscles that Move the Head
The bilateral sternocleidomastoid, or SCM, and the suprahyoid and infrahyoid muscles are significant head flexors. The SCM muscles originate at the sternum and clavicle and attach to the mastoid process of the temporal bone. The SCM contracts bilaterally to bend the head forward, whereas...
Naming Skeletal Muscles
The key factors used in naming muscles include:
Muscle Coordination and Action
Agonists
Agonist muscles, often called prime movers, are the primary muscles responsible for producing a specific movement.
Muscles of the Eye
Extraocular Muscles
The six extraocular muscles surround the eyeball and control its movements. They are responsible for a wide range of eye motions, including looking up, down, left, right, and rotating...