Which bone is controlled by the muscles of mastication?

The mandible (jawbone) is controlled by the four muscles of mastication (chewing).

The four muscles and their actions are:

• temporalis: elevates and retracts the mandible (you can feel this by clenching your closed jaw and putting your hands on the sides of your head)

• medial pterygoid: elevates mandible and allows for lateral movement (move your jaw side to side)

• lateral pterygoid: protracts the mandible (push you chin forward to feel this movement)

• masseter: also is involved with elevating and retracting.