- Physical Examination
- Surgical Examination
- Ophthalmology
- Clinical Skills
- Orthopedics
- Surgery Videos
- Laparoscopy
- Pediatrics
- Funny Videos
- Cardiothoracic Surgery
- Nursing Videos
- Plastic Surgery
- Otorhinolaryngology
- Histology and Histopathology
- Neurosurgery
- Dermatology
- Pediatric Surgery
- Urology
- Dentistry
- Oncology and Cancers
- Anatomy Videos
- Health and Fitness
- Radiology
- Anaesthesia
- Physical Therapy
- Pharmacology
- Interventional Radiology
- Cardiology
- Endocrinology
- Gynecology
- Emergency Medicine
- Psychiatry and Psychology
- Childbirth Videos
- General Medical Videos
- Nephrology
- Physiology
- Diet and Food Health
- Diabetes Mellitus
- Neurology
- Women Health
- Osteoporosis
- Gastroenterology
- Pulmonology
- Hematology
- Rheumatology
- Toxicology
- Nuclear Medicine
- Infectious Diseases
- Vascular Disease
- Reproductive Health
- Burns and Wound Healing
- Kidney Zone Podcast
- Other
Lateral Pterygoid
Region: Head & Neck Muscles · All head & neck muscles
Lateral Pterygoid at a glance
| Origin | Sphenoid bone (infratemporal surface and lateral pterygoid plate) |
|---|---|
| Insertion | Neck of the mandible, the TMJ disc and capsule |
| Actions | Protrudes the jaw; Opens the mouth; Moves the jaw to the opposite side |
| Nerve supply | Trigeminal nerve (CN V3) |
◆ Good to know
It is the only muscle of mastication that opens the jaw, pulling the mandibular condyle and disc forward.
More Head & Neck Muscles
Please note: This page is an anatomy education summary for students and curious readers, not medical advice. Attachment points are given in their classic short form; individual anatomy varies, and detailed dissection-level descriptions belong in an anatomy atlas.