[Macro-anatomical studies on the palpability of the lateral inferior pterygoid muscle]

In order to diagnose muscular dysfunction associated with the lower pterygoid muscle common intraoral palpation techniques require this muscle to be touched with the fingertip or a probing instrument. A macro-anatomical study using heads of humans has been done to demonstrate morphometrically the origin of the M. pterygoideus lateralis inferior in relation to neighbouring structures. In a majority of cases intraoral palpation of the lower pterygoid muscle is probably impossible.