NEET PG DENTAL EXAM

Detailed explanation-1: -The lateral pterygoid muscle depresses the mandible and opens the mouth when assisted by the anterior belly of the digastric muscle and the mylohyoid muscle.

Detailed explanation-2: -The lateral pterygoid muscle (or external pterygoid muscle) is a muscle of mastication. It has two heads. It lies superior to the medial pterygoid muscle. It is supplied by pterygoid branches of the maxillary artery, and the lateral pterygoid nerve (from the mandibular nerve, CN V3).

Detailed explanation-3: -The lateral pterygoid muscle pulls the mandible forwards (anterior translatory movement). During this process the mandible moves slightly downwards because the condyle is pressed down on the articular tubercle. The mandible is pulled backwards on closing by the posterior fibres of the temporalis muscle.