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Glite Dictionary
musculus buccinator

musculus buccinator

9.6
A cheek muscle that flattens the cheek and pulls back the corner of the mouth
  • noun
  • /ˈmʌskjələs ˈbʌkɪneɪtər/
  • Specialized
translation icon : músculo buccinador
  • Damage to the musculus buccinator may result in difficulty keeping food between the teeth while chewing.

Examples

  • The musculus buccinator is essential for blowing air forcefully through the mouth.

  • During surgery, the musculus buccinator is carefully preserved to maintain facial expression.

  • The musculus buccinator helps in chewing food.

  • During the process of blowing, the musculus buccinator contracts.

  • Damage to the musculus buccinator may result in difficulty keeping food between the teeth while chewing.

  • The musculus buccinator is essential for blowing air forcefully through the mouth.

  • During surgery, the musculus buccinator is carefully preserved to maintain facial expression.

Synonyms

buccinator muscle
vsmusculus buccinator
  • Specialized
8.4

A thin muscle in the cheek that presses the cheek against the teeth to hold food or help blow air

is the specific cheek muscle used in chewing and blowing
cheek muscle
vsmusculus buccinator
  • Specialized
4.2

A part of the face that flattens the cheek and pulls back the corner of the mouth

is the single named muscle that performs these actions

How Big

musculus buccinator
  • Specialized
9.6
muscle fiber
  • Specialized
4 3.4

Surface Forms

musculus buccinator singular
musculi buccinatoris plural

Morphology

musculus + buccinator

This is a specialized Latin anatomical name: while 'musculus' corresponds to 'muscle', 'buccinator' is not a transparent English word (and is marked as not found). The overall meaning ('cheek muscle') depends on knowledge of Latin/medical roots (bucc- 'cheek'), so an average B1 learner who only knows the listed constituents would not reliably derive the MWE's meaning.

Etymology

Musculus buccinator comes from old Latin words: musculus means 'small muscle' and buccinator is like a 'cheek blower'. So imagine a small muscle pushing the cheek when you 'blow' or chew; that image explains why it helps with chewing and blowing.