The medial pterygoid is a muscle of mastication with two heads. The deep head originates on the medial side of the lateral pterygoid plate behind the upper teeth, and the superficial head on the maxillary tuberosity; both insert onto the medial angle of the mandible. It acts to elevate the mandible, close the jaw, and help the lateral pterygoids in moving the jaw from side to side. It is supplied by the nerve to medial pterygoid from the mandibular nerve. Mastication or chewing is the process by which food is torn and/or crushed by teeth. ... This article is about the human bone. ... The jaw is either of the two opposable structures forming, or near the entrance to, the mouth. ... The lateral pterygoid is a muscle of mastication with two heads. ... The mandibular nerve is the third branch (V3) of the trigeminal nerve. ...
The medialpterygoid plate is long and narrow; on the lateral side of its base is the scaphoid fossa, for the origin of the Tensor veli palatini, and at its lower extremity the hamulus, around which the tendon of this muscle turns.
Upon the medial side of the mastoid process is the mastoid notch for the posterior belly of the Digastricus, and medial to the notch, the occipital groove for the occipital artery.
It presents medially the trochlear fovea for the attachment of the cartilaginous pulley of the Obliquus oculi superior; laterally, the lacrimal fossa for the lacrimal gland; and posteriorly, the suture between the frontal bone and the small wing of the sphenoid.
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