A patient sustains a fracture of the mandibular condyle. Which of the following muscles has NO attachment to the condylar region of the mandible?

Correct answer: C. Masseter

• A. The lateral (TM) ligament reinforces the capsule laterally over the condylar neck and is part of the condylar region.
• B. The LATERAL PTERYGOID (superior head) inserts into the PTERYGOID FOVEA on the anterior aspect of the condylar neck and into the articular disc and capsule. This is precisely why a fractured condyle displaces ANTERIORLY and MEDIALLY — the lateral pterygoid pulls it there.
• C. CORRECT — this is the exception among the muscles listed. The MASSETER inserts on the lateral surface of the RAMUS, the angle, and the coronoid process. It has NO attachment to the condyle or condylar neck, which is why it does not directly displace a fractured condylar segment.
• D. The capsule attaches around the condylar neck and is directly involved in condylar-region anatomy.

Note: ⚑ Note for the group — the original recall lists masseter, temporalis and lateral pterygoid. Strictly, TEMPORALIS (coronoid process and anterior ramus) has no condylar attachment either, so that version has two defensible answers. Masseter is the conventional key. The exam-relevant fact is that only the LATERAL PTERYGOID attaches to the condyle, so it alone displaces condylar fractures and causes anterior dislocation.