Most impoant muscle which opens mouth is: (A) Lateral pterygoid, (B) Medical pterygoid, (C) Masseter, (D) Temporalis
Answer is A. The lateral pterygoid may be regarded as the key muscle of this region because its relations provide a fair idea about the layout of structures in the infratemporal fossa. the relations are as follows: Superficial 1.masseter 2.Ramus of the mandible 3.Tendon of the temporalis 4.The maxillary aery Deep 1.mandibular nerve 2.middle meningeal aery 3.Sphenomandibular ligament 4.Deep head of the medial pterygoid <img src=" /> REF.VOL.3,SIXTH EDITION vol3 pg 118