Mastication

Overview

Jaw Articulation (horse) - Copyright RVC

Temperomandibular Joint (dog) - Copyright RVC

Mastication is the process whereby food is broken down by mechanical digestion in the oral cavity. The cheeks and tongue function to position food over the teeth, where grinding can occur. Mastication requires correct muscle movements and jaw articulation.

Rumination allows food to undergo mastication more than once. This is also called 'chewing the cud', it allows greater nutrients to be extracted and absorbed from the food particles.

Muscles of Mastication

The muscles of mastication are well developed.

Jaw Opening Muscles

The Digastricus muscle is the 'jaw opening' muscle. Its origin is the paracondylar process of the occipital bone. It inserts at the angle of the mandible. The muscle has two bellies; The caudal half from the second visceral arch innervated by the facial nerve (CN VII) and the cranial half from the first visceral arch, innervated by the mandibular branch of the trigeminal nerve (CN V3).

Jaw Closing Muscles

All jaw closing muscles are derived from the first visceral arch and are innervated by the mandibular branch of the trigeminal nerve (CN V3).

The masseter muscle originates from the maxilliary region of the skull and the zygomatic arch. It inserts on the wide area on the caudal side of the mandible. It has several divisions and causes unilateral and bilateral contraction. It also protrudes the jaw.

The lateral pterygoid muscle originates from the pterygopalatine region of the skull. It inserts on the lateral aspect of the mandible. It also protrudes the jaw (one-sided contraction).

The medial pterygoid muscle originates from the pterygopalatine region of the skull. It inserts on the medial aspect of the mandible. It causes one-sided contraction to close the jaw.

The temporal muscle originates from the lateral surface of the cranium. It inserts on the coronoid process. It pulls the mandible dorsally and also pulls the mandible rostrally (overbite) and caudally (underbite).

Lateral Translation of the Mandible

The masseter muscle and the contralateral medial and lateral pterygoids are involved in the lateral translation of the mandible.

Jaw Articulation

Temporomandibular Joint

The articulation between the condylar process of the mandible and the mandibular process of the skull. It is a compartmentalised joint for rotational movement and lateral slide (grinding). It is a synovial joint. Caudal dislocation is prevented by a prominent retro-articular process (enlargement of the fossa).

Mandibular Symphasis

Located at the rostral end of the mandible. It is a fibrous joint between the left and right halves of the mandible. It is only found in dogs and ruminants. It has a precise occlusion and the Mandibular bones can move apart independently by rotation. It stops jaw breakages (Canid).

Species Differences

Hebivores

Herbivores have large masseter and pterygoid muscles for extensive chewing. Herbiverous species have a limited digastricus muscle. In the horse, the muscle insertion site for the masseter is large to snap jaw shut.

Carnivores

Carnivores have a large temporalis muscle for snapping the jaw shut, e.g. in lions and pitbull terriers. Canids have a larger digasticus muscle than herbivores (but smaller in comparison with jaw closing muscles). In the dog, large forces are needed to shut the jaws, so the point of articulation of the temporomandibular joint is level with the teeth.

Links

Click here for Skull and Facial Muscles - Anatomy & Physiology

Mastication Learning Resources
Drag and Drop (Dragster) Test your knowledge using drag and drop boxes	Canine Head Skeletal Anatomy Resource (VI)
Flashcards Test your knowledge using flashcard type questions	Mastication Flashcards Facial Muscles flashcards
Videos Selection of relevant videos	Lateral surface of the head of a dog Lateral section through the head of a dog

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