Anatomy

Pterygoid Muscles

Two of the masticatory muscles: the internal, or medial, pterygoid muscle and external, or lateral, pterygoid muscle. Action of the former is closing the jaws and that of the latter is opening the jaws, protruding the mandible, and moving the mandible from side to side.

National Library of MedicineMedical Subject Headings2026

Structured Summary

Abstract

Two of the masticatory muscles: the internal, or medial, pterygoid muscle and external, or lateral, pterygoid muscle. Action of the former is closing the jaws and that of the latter is opening the jaws, protruding the mandible, and moving the mandible from side to side.

MeSH Record

Classification

Broader headings

Related Concepts

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MeSH Record

Synonyms

3 entry terms
  • Muscle, Pterygoid
  • Muscles, Pterygoid
  • Pterygoid Muscle

MeSH Record

Aspects Covered

24 allowable subheadings

Indexed with the subheadings abnormalities, anatomy & histology, blood supply, chemistry, cytology, diagnostic imaging, drug effects, embryology, enzymology, growth & development, immunology, injuries, innervation, metabolism, microbiology, parasitology, pathology, physiology, physiopathology, radiation effects, surgery, transplantation, ultrastructure, virology.

MeSH Record

Indexing Annotation

/growth: coord with MUSCLE DEVELOPMENT; /embryol: coord with MUSCLE DEVELOPMENT if pertinent

MeSH Record

History Note

91(80); was see under MASTICATORY MUSCLES 1980-90

MeSH Record

Previous Indexing

  • Facial Muscles (1966-1979)
  • Masticatory Muscles (1966-1979)
  • Muscles (1966-1979)

MeSH Hierarchy

Tree Numbers

  1. A02w.633w.567w.600w.700
  2. A14w.530w.790

AMA Style

References

  1. National Library of Medicine. Pterygoid Muscles. Medical Subject Headings (MeSH). 2026. Unique ID D011626. http://id.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/2026/D011626
  2. Pterygoid Muscles. In: Wikidata. https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q68549908