Muscles
Lateral pterygoid
Protrudes and opens the jaw; the only muscle that meaningfully depresses the mandible.
Overview
Protrudes and opens the jaw; the only muscle that meaningfully depresses the mandible. Trigger points here are common in everyday and athletic populations and frequently contribute to the referred pain patterns described below.
Trigger point locations
Two heads palpable intraorally behind the maxillary tuberosity.
Referred pain pattern
Deep TMJ, sinus area and the cheek — strongly implicated in TMJ clicking and locking.
Palpation & testing
Palpate the muscle belly along its accessible course. Reproduction of the patient's familiar pain on palpation supports involvement.
Common causes
Bruxism, gum chewing, anterior disc displacement of the TMJ, dental trauma.
Self-care & clinical treatment
Avoid sustained protrusion, address bruxism. Clinically: gentle intraoral release; needling only by trained clinicians.
Symptoms commonly linked
References
- • Travell & Simons — Myofascial Pain and Dysfunction