Elevation of the mandible is accomplished by which muscles?

• A. Temporalis, masseter, medial pterygoid
• B. Lateral pterygoid
• C. Digastric
• D. Mylohyoid

Answer: (A)

Elevation of the mandible is produced by the jaw elevators: the temporalis, masseter, and medial pterygoid. The temporalis pulls the mandible upward, with its anterior fibers helping to elevate (and its posterior fibers aiding in retrusion). The masseter, especially its superficial part, is a powerful elevator that lifts the mandible to close the mouth. The medial pterygoid works together with the masseter to raise the jaw, contributing to grinding and the control of occlusal force.

The lateral pterygoid, on the other hand, mainly protrudes the mandible and helps with opening the mouth by moving the condyle and articular disc forward, so it does not elevate. Digastric and mylohyoid are suprahyoid muscles that depress the mandible when the hyoid is fixed, not elevate it.

So the muscles responsible for elevation are temporalis, masseter, and medial pterygoid.