Muscle Names · Muscular System · Hard
Pterygoid
Meaning: Paired chewing muscles from the sphenoid; the lateral one opens and protrudes the jaw.
In practice: The lateral muscle attaches to the front of the TMJ disc, so it is palpated carefully in jaw clicking.
Quick check
Two questions on related muscle names words.
Which word means: A rotator cuff muscle that externally rotates the shoulder.
Answer: Infraspinatus
Which word means: The triangular shoulder muscle that raises the arm.
Answer: Deltoid
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