Volume changes in human masticatory muscles between jaw closing and opening

T. K. Goto, K. Tokumori, Y. Nakamura, M. Yahagi, K. Yuasa, K. Okamura, S. Kanda

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

38 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Most jaw muscles are complex, multipennate with multiple components. The morphologic heterogeneity of masticatory muscles reflects their functions. We hypothesized that the volume of masticatory muscles changes between jaw closing and opening, and that there is a difference in the volume change among the muscles. Magnetic resonance images of the entire head were obtained in ten normal young adult subjects before and after maximum jaw opening. The volume changes of the masseter, medial, and lateral pterygoid muscles were measured. Only slight changes were seen in the masseter and medial pterygoid muscles. The lateral pterygoid muscle, however, significantly decreased its volume during jaw opening. The results provide normative values of muscle volume in living subjects, and suggest that the volume changes differ among jaw muscles.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)428-432
Number of pages5
JournalJournal of Dental Research
Volume81
Issue number6
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jan 1 2002

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Dentistry(all)

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