Cats

Great Muscles of the Head

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In the anatomy of the cat, there are only two prominent, or great, head muscles, and these are the Masseter and Temporalis. The two are branchiomeric muscles.

Masseter

The Masseter is a great powerful, and very thick muscle covered by a tough, shining fascia lying ventral to the zygomatic arch, which is its origin. It inserts into the posterior half of the lateral surface of the mandible. Its action is the elevation of the mandible (closing of the jaw).

Temporalis

The temporalis is a great mass of mandibular muscle, and is also covered by a tough and shiny fascia. It lies dorsal to the zygomatic arch and fills the temporal fossa of the skull. It arises from the side of the skull and inserts into the coronoid process of the mandible. It too, elevates the jaw.

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