Anatomy
masseter muscle Audio
mas·se·ter
Subclass of:
Masticatory muscles
Definitions related to masseter muscle:
  • (muscle, masseter) A muscle extending from the zygomatic arch to the lateral surface of mandibular ramus; primary function is elevation of the mandible (closing of the mouth).
    CDISC Terminology
    Clinical Data Interchange Standards Consortium (CDISC), 2021
  • A masticatory muscle whose action is closing the jaws.
    NLM Medical Subject Headings
    U.S. National Library of Medicine, 2025
  • A muscle of mastication originating from the zygomatic arch.
    NCI
    U.S. National Cancer Institute, 2021
  • Masseter, (from Greek masasthai, "to chew"), prominent muscle of the jaw. The masseter arises from the zygomatic bone (cheekbone) and is inserted at the rear of the mandible (jawbone). Contraction of the muscle raises the mandible, and it is particularly used in chewing food. The masseter can be...
    Encyclopedia Britannica
    Encyclopedia Britannica, Inc., 2025
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