masseter

masseter definition - medical

mas·se·ter (mə-sēˈtər)

noun
A muscle with origin from the inferior border and medial surface of the zygomatic arch, with insertion into the lateral surface of the ramus of the mandible, with nerve supply from the masseteric nerve, and whose action closes the jaw during chewing.

Related Forms:

  • masˌse·terˈic (măsˌĭ-tĕrˈĭk) adjective

The American Heritage® Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

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