Muscles
Medial pterygoid
Inner jaw elevator; protrudes and laterally shifts the mandible.
Overview
Inner jaw elevator; protrudes and laterally shifts 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
Deep inside the mandibular angle, palpated intraorally with a gloved finger.
Referred pain pattern
Tongue, hard palate, lower jaw, ear and TMJ — often felt as deep ear pain with chewing.
Palpation & testing
Palpate the muscle belly along its accessible course. Reproduction of the patient's familiar pain on palpation supports involvement.
Common causes
Bruxism, malocclusion, prolonged dental work, jaw clenching under stress.
Self-care & clinical treatment
Soft-diet phase, jaw relaxation drills. Clinically: intraoral release and dry needling by a trained clinician.
Symptoms commonly linked
References
- • Travell & Simons — Myofascial Pain and Dysfunction