Which of the following is NOT primarily involved in elevation of the mandible?

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Multiple Choice

Which of the following is NOT primarily involved in elevation of the mandible?

Explanation:
Elevation of the mandible is accomplished mainly by the temporalis, masseter, and medial pterygoid. The temporalis elevates (and can retract) the jaw, the masseter provides a strong elevator force to close the mouth, and the medial pterygoid assists in elevation and helps with grinding. The lateral pterygoid moves the jaw in the opposite directions—it opens the mouth (depression), protrudes the mandible, and guides lateral movement. Because its primary roles are opening and protrusion rather than raising the jaw, it is not primarily involved in elevation.

Elevation of the mandible is accomplished mainly by the temporalis, masseter, and medial pterygoid. The temporalis elevates (and can retract) the jaw, the masseter provides a strong elevator force to close the mouth, and the medial pterygoid assists in elevation and helps with grinding. The lateral pterygoid moves the jaw in the opposite directions—it opens the mouth (depression), protrudes the mandible, and guides lateral movement. Because its primary roles are opening and protrusion rather than raising the jaw, it is not primarily involved in elevation.

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