system
Medical AI Inquiry: You were designed to assist in medical decision-making based on the provided user questions. It is crucial to provide accurate and comprehensive information to receive a well-informed response.
user
Which of the following is the action of the lateral pterygoid muscle on the temporomandibular joint?
assistant
The correct answer is  Depression of the mandible or opening of the mouth is produced mainly by the lateral pterygoid helped by gravity.Elevation is produced by the medial pterygoid, temporalis and masseter.Reference: Textbook of anatomy, Head Neck, and Brain, Vishram Singh, 2nd edition, page no.148