Which action is performed by the medial pterygoid muscle?

Unlock all questions

This demo includes only 20 questions. Upgrade to access hundreds of questions, flashcards, exam simulations, and disable ads.

Full question bankExam simulationsFlashcards
From $24.99Unlock all

Study for the City and Guilds Dental Nursing Block 2 Test. Use flashcards and multiple choice questions, each with hints and explanations, to prepare effectively. Get ready for your exam!

Multiple Choice

Which action is performed by the medial pterygoid muscle?

Explanation:
The medial pterygoid mainly elevates the mandible to close the jaw. When it contracts, it pulls the lower jaw upward, working together with the masseter and temporalis to bring the teeth together for biting and grinding. Opening the jaw is achieved more by the lateral pterygoid (and others like the digastric), not this muscle. Protruding the mandible is also mainly the job of the lateral pterygoid, with some assistance from other muscles, while elevating the tongue is the function of tongue and floor-of-mouth muscles rather than the pterygoids. So closing the mandible is the best description of what the medial pterygoid does.

The medial pterygoid mainly elevates the mandible to close the jaw. When it contracts, it pulls the lower jaw upward, working together with the masseter and temporalis to bring the teeth together for biting and grinding. Opening the jaw is achieved more by the lateral pterygoid (and others like the digastric), not this muscle. Protruding the mandible is also mainly the job of the lateral pterygoid, with some assistance from other muscles, while elevating the tongue is the function of tongue and floor-of-mouth muscles rather than the pterygoids. So closing the mandible is the best description of what the medial pterygoid does.

More Multiple Choice Questions
Subscribe

Get the latest from Passetra

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy