[Durgical](https://durgical.com/en/) › [DurgiPedia](https://durgical.com/en/durgipedia/) › [Anatomy](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/) › [Head and neck](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/region/head-and-neck/) › Temporalis [Muscular system](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/system/muscular-system/) · [Head and neck](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/region/head-and-neck/) # Temporalis The temporalis is a fan-shaped muscle on the side of the head under the temple; it closes the jaw and pulls it back. Official name: Temporalis muscle [See in 3D →](https://durgical.app/?from=durgipedia&lang=en#region=head_neck&select=temporalis&side=r) Opens in the Durgical app, no sign-up needed. ## What it is A fan-shaped muscle on the side of the head, under the temple. ## What it does Closes the jaw and pulls it back. ## Key points - Fan-shaped: front fibres run vertically and close the jaw, back fibres run almost horizontally and pull the jaw back - The pterion lies under its upper part, with the [middle meningeal artery](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/middle-meningeal-artery/) beneath - A common source of temple pain: tender, tight temporalis is part of tension-type headache and temporomandibular disorders ## Key facts **Origin** Temporal fossa and temporal fascia **Insertion** Coronoid process and anterior ramus of the [mandible](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/mandible/) **Action** Elevates the mandible; posterior fibres retract it **Nerve** Deep temporal nerves (V3) **Blood supply** Deep temporal arteries ([maxillary artery](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/maxillary-artery/)), middle temporal artery ## Relations **Superficial** The temporal fascia, then the temporoparietal fascia with the [superficial temporal artery](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/superficial-temporal-artery/) and auriculotemporal nerve, and the temporal branch of the [facial nerve](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/facial-nerve/) **Deep** Temporal fossa ([frontal bone](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/frontal-bone/), [parietal bones](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/parietal-bone/), greater wing of the [sphenoid bone](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/sphenoid-bone/), squamous [temporal bone](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/temporal-bone/)) with the [pterion](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/pterion/); deep temporal vessels and nerves **Below** Passes deep to the zygomatic arch to the coronoid process; below, the [lateral pterygoid](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/superior-head-of-lateral-pterygoid-muscle/) and buccal fat pad in the infratemporal fossa **Above** Inferior temporal line, where its fibres begin ## How to find it With the fingertips on the temple above the zygomatic arch, the person clenches the teeth and the muscle hardens; its tendon can be felt on the coronoid process inside the mouth, along the front of the ramus. ## Examination - Clenching while both temples are palpated: loss of bulk or tightening on one side points to the mandibular nerve on that side - Palpation of the muscle and its tendon for tender points in jaw pain and temporal headache ## On imaging CT and MRI show it filling the temporal fossa, deep to the temporal fascia, and narrowing to its tendon on the coronoid process. Contrast CT or MRI show a masticator space abscess spreading upward under the fascia, its suprazygomatic part. MRI shows wasting and fatty change after a mandibular nerve lesion. In trauma, CT shows the zygomatic arch, which it passes under, and coronoid fractures. ## Clinical notes - Hollowing of the temple after a pterional craniotomy comes from atrophy or retraction of the temporalis and loss of the fat pad - The temporalis can be moved as a flap to fill the orbit or cover skull-base defects, and its tendon lengthened onto the lip for smile reanimation - A fractured coronoid process is pulled up by the temporalis; coronoid enlargement can block mouth opening against the zygoma - Jaw claudication and temporal tenderness in an older person raise concern for giant cell arteritis ## Development First pharyngeal arch muscle, supplied by the deep temporal nerves of V3. ## Related conditions - [Tension-type headache](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/tension-type-headache/) - [Malnutrition and unintentional weight loss in older adults](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/malnutrition-and-unintentional-weight-loss-in-older-adults/) - [Myotonic dystrophy (types 1 and 2)](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/myotonic-dystrophy/) ## Test yourself Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it. ## What do the front and back fibres of the temporalis do? Front fibres run vertically and close the jaw; back fibres run almost horizontally and pull the jaw back. ## Which landmark and artery lie under the upper part of the temporalis? The pterion, with the middle meningeal artery beneath. ## Where does the temporalis insert, and what nerve supplies it? On the coronoid process and anterior ramus of the mandible; deep temporal nerves (V3). ## Why can the temple look hollow after a pterional craniotomy? From atrophy or retraction of the temporalis and loss of the fat pad. [Add to my cards (4)](https://durgical.app/estudiar/?add=/en/anatomy/temporalis-muscle/) Educational information, not medical advice. For any symptom, see a health professional. ## Its names **Official Latin (TA2)** musculus temporalis TA2 2108 **Official Spanish (DeCS)** Músculo Temporal DeCS D013703 **English (TA2)** Temporalis muscle **Also called** temporal muscle ## Related - [V3 mandibular](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/anterior-division-of-mandibular-nerve/) - [Superficial temporal artery](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/superficial-temporal-artery/) - [Maxillary artery](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/maxillary-artery/) Sources: Terminologia Anatomica (TA2); [DeCS](https://decs.bvsalud.org/es/ths/resource/?id=14081&filter=ths_termall&q=Temporal%20Muscle); [Anatomy, Head and Neck, Mastication Muscles](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK541027/); [Anatomy, Head and Neck, Temporal Region](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482497/). ## **Spotted a mistake?** We are always improving for the community. Tell us what is wrong and our team will review it. Report a mistake Representative model, for educational purposes only. --- Source: https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/temporalis-muscle/ License: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Cite as: DurgiPedia (durgical.com), https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/temporalis-muscle/