Relationship between craniofacial morphology and the volume and inclination of the medial pterygoid muscle

Abstract

It is well known that the anatomy of the masticatory muscles is related to craniofacial morphology. We evaluated the relationship between the volume and inclination of the medial pterygoid muscle and craniofacial morphology in subjects with normal occlusion. Muscle volume correlated with FMA, gonial angle, saddle angle, the angle of convexity, SN-GoGn and posterior facial height. Muscle inclination correlated with FH-SN, saddle angle and articulare angle. The asymmetry index of muscle inclination in subjects whose mandible tipped away from the membrum correlated with the Ag line angle and distance ORP to Me.
     When viewed in the sagittal plane, the volume and inclination of the medial pterygoid muscle affected the position of the mandible and the mandibular fossa. When viewed in the frontal plane, the relationship between the medial pterygoid muscle and craniofacial morphology depended on displacement of the mandible.