Topographic anatomy of the masseter muscle focusing on the tendinous digitation
- 19 March 2012
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Wiley in Clinical Anatomy
- Vol. 25 (7), 889-892
- https://doi.org/10.1002/ca.22024
Abstract
The masseter muscle has superficial tendons that interdigitate like a saw (tendinous digitations), but a detailed description of these tendons is lacking in anatomic textbooks and atlases. The aim of the present study was to elucidate the topographic anatomy of the masseter muscle, focusing on its tendinous digitation. Sixty‐five adult faces (113 sides) were dissected. Five parameters, including the lengths, widths, and thickness of the muscle, were measured. The number and morphology of tendinous digitations were also investigated. The length and width of the masseter muscle were longer and wider in male specimens than in female specimens. The number of masseter muscle tendinous digitations was predominantly two in males and three in females. The length of the tendinous digitations tended to be about three‐quarters of that of the muscle. The second tendinous digitation was the longest in male specimens, while the first tendinous digitation was the longest in females. Based on our results, the external morphology of the masseter muscle does not match that described in anatomical atlases and textbooks. These findings may be helpful as a basic reference and in the treatment of masseter muscle hypertrophy and masseter tenomyositis. Clin. Anat. 25:889–892, 2012.Keywords
This publication has 15 references indexed in Scilit:
- Effect of Botulinum Toxin Type A Injection on Lower Facial Contouring Evaluated Using a Three-Dimensional Laser ScanDermatologic Surgery, 2010
- Age and gender influence on maximal bite force and masticatory muscles thicknessArchives of Oral Biology, 2010
- Topography of the masseter muscle in relation to treatment with botulinum toxin type AOral Surgery Oral Medicine Oral Pathology Oral Radiology and Endodontology, 2010
- Bite Force and Influential Factors on Bite Force Measurements: A Literature ReviewEuropean Journal of Dentistry, 2010
- Muscle Weakness After Repeated Injection of Botulinum Toxin Type A Evaluated According to Bite Force Measurement of Human Masseter MuscleDermatologic Surgery, 2009
- Masseter TenomyositisCranio®, 2009
- Effect of botulinum toxin type A injection into human masseter muscle on stimulated parotid saliva flow rateInternational Journal of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, 2009
- Botulinum Toxin Type A Treatment for Contouring of the Lower FaceDermatologic Surgery, 2003
- Tenomyositis of the masseter muscle: report of casesThe Journal of the American Dental Association, 1985
- Neglected conditions producing preauricular and referred pain.Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry, 1983