Anatomy & Histology · single question
CASE 4 — Patient opens to 32 mm then deviates to the LEFT with no pain. Which muscle is responsible for the deviation?
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Correct answer: A. Right lateral pterygoid
- A. The mandible deviates toward the side of restricted condylar translation. A leftward deviation indicates the LEFT condyle has restricted or impaired forward movement (e.g., non-reducing disc displacement on the left). The RIGHT lateral pterygoid pulls the right condyle forward, causing the midline to shift LEFT. The muscle responsible for producing the deviation is the RIGHT lateral pterygoid.
- B. The left medial pterygoid does not cause leftward deviation.
- C. The left lateral pterygoid would pull the mandible to the RIGHT.
- D. Medial pterygoids are bilateral elevators; they do not primarily produce lateral deviation.
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