masseter

Masseter muscle anatomy of the jawThe superficial and deep masseter muscles extend from the cheekbone to the mandible. The masseter is one of the body's strongest muscles relative to its size and plays a major role in closing the jaw during chewing.

masseter, (from Greek masasthai, “to chew”), prominent muscle of the jaw. The masseter arises from the zygomatic bone (cheekbone) and is inserted at the rear of the mandible (jawbone). Contraction of the muscle raises the mandible, and it is particularly used in chewing food. The masseter can be felt at the side of the jaw when the teeth are clenched.

The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica This article was most recently revised and updated by Rick Livingston.
Citation Information
Article Title: masseter
Website Name: Encyclopaedia Britannica
Publisher: Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc.
Date Published: 12 November 2026
Access Date: November 13, 2026