masseter (muscle)

mas·se·ter (mus·cle)

[TA]

masticatory muscle of posterior cheek; origin, superficial part: inferior border of the anterior two thirds of the zygomatic arch; deep part: inferior border and medial surface of the zygomatic arch; insertion, lateral surface of ramus and coronoid process of the mandible; action, elevates mandible (closes jaw); nerve supply, masseteric branch of mandibular division of trigeminal.

Synonym(s): musculus masseter [TA]