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Oral Surgery · single question

Which muscles are responsible for ELEVATING the mandible (closing the mouth)?

  1. Buccinator and platysma
  2. Lateral pterygoid and digastric
  3. Geniohyoid and mylohyoid
  4. Masseter, medial pterygoid, and temporalis
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: D. Masseter, medial pterygoid, and temporalis

  • A. Buccinator is a cheek muscle for mastication; platysma is a neck muscle — neither elevates the mandible.
  • B. Lateral pterygoid DEPRESSES (opens) and protrudes the mandible — not an elevator. Digastric is also a depressor.
  • C. Geniohyoid and mylohyoid are suprahyoid muscles that depress the mandible when the hyoid is fixed.
  • D. Correct. The three muscles of MANDIBULAR ELEVATION (jaw closing): MASSETER (closes and protrudes mandible, strong biter), MEDIAL PTERYGOID (elevates and protrudes), TEMPORALIS (elevates and retrudes via posterior fibers). Remember: these are the muscles blocked by IANB to achieve anesthesia.

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