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Glite Dictionary
temporalis muscle

temporalis muscle

7.0
A large fan-shaped muscle on the side of the head that helps raise and close the lower jaw
  • noun
  • /ˌtɛmpəˈrælɪs ˈmʌsəl/
  • Specialized
translation icon : músculo temporal
  • The temporalis muscle plays a crucial role in raising the lower jaw during chewing.

Examples

  • When the temporalis muscle contracts, it helps close the mouth more effectively.

  • Surgeons often utilize the temporalis muscle for reconstructive procedures in the jaw.

  • The ability to efficiently masticate was enhanced by an increase in the size of the temporalis muscle.

    Academic text (2003)

  • The eustachian tube orifice was sealed with temporalis muscle tissue.

    Academic text (2007)

  • The temporalis muscle and fascia, or septal cartilage, have traditionally been used as the base support of the repair, and both remain effective today.

    Academic text (2008)

  • The fascia is usually obtained through a postauricular incision from the lateral surface of the temporalis muscle.

    Academic text (1995)

  • The defect was then closed in three layers with temporalis fascia, temporalis muscle tissue, and homograft septal cartilage.

    Academic text (2007)

  • The middle cranial fossa approach carries significantly more morbidity primarily because of the long incision through the temporalis muscle and the exposure within the middle cranial fossa.

    Academic text (1995)

Synonyms

temporalis
vstemporalis muscle
  • Specialized
1 9.0

A broad fan-shaped muscle on the side of the head above the ear that helps close the jaw

uses precise fossa-to-coronoid description rather than simple location above the ear
temporal muscle
vstemporalis muscle
  • Specialized
6.3

A broad muscle on the side of the head that lifts the lower jaw to close the mouth

is defined by its anatomical attachments and role in closing the mouth
musculus temporalis
vstemporalis muscle
  • Specialized
7.4

A large muscle on the side of the head that lifts the lower jaw to close the mouth

focuses instead on origin and insertion to specify the same jaw-closing muscle

Surface Forms

temporalis muscle singular
temporalis muscles plural

Morphology

temporalis + muscle

The phrase is compositional: 'temporalis' names a particular muscle (relative to the temporal region) and 'muscle' indicates bodily tissue that produces movement, so together they denote the muscle called the temporalis. Anatomical naming follows regular, transparent patterns (e.g., 'biceps muscle'), so a learner who knows both constituents can infer the meaning.

Etymology

The noun temporalis muscle gets its name from the word 'temple' because it sits on the side of the head at the temples. Its wide, fan shape reaches down to the jaw and helps close the mouth and chew, so the name shows both where it is and what it does.