MASSETER

mas·se·ter   (mə-sē'tər, mā-)    n.  A thick muscle in the cheek that closes the jaws during chewing. [New Latin massētēr, from Greek masētēr, massētēr, from masāsthai, to chew.] mas'se·ter'ic (mās'ĭ-těr'ĭk) adj.

Main Entry: mas·se·ter
Pronunciation: m&-'sEt-&r, ma-
Function: noun
: a large muscle that raises the lower jaw and assists inmastication, arises from the zygomatic arch and the zygomatic process of the temporal bone, and is inserted into the mandibular ramus and gonial angle —mas·se·ter·ic /"mas-&-'ter-ik/ adjective

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 felt at the side of the jaw when the teeth are clenched.

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