What is the fifth muscle of mastication?
US dentists find new muscle of mastication John Roberts American researchers may have added one more muscle for medical students to memorise. In a subject in which modern discoveries are rare, workers at the University of Maryland Dental School have discovered what may be the fifth muscle of mastication. So far, they have not given it a name. The muscle has traditionally been thought to be an extension of the temporalis but has now been found to have its own nerve and blood supply. The researchers credited their discovery to unorthodox methods of dissection. Rather than using standard approaches, they dissect areas from unusual angles, obtaining different views of the anatomical structures. “We do not follow everyone’s preconceptions. We dissect the same areas as others, but because of our unique approach we observe something different,” said Dr Gwendolyn Dunn. The muscle extends from a bony process behind the eye socket to the lower jaw. It is about 3.5 cm long, 1.3 cm wide, and 1.3 c
