Buccinator muscle activity during mastication in humans

Abstract

To elucidate the role of cheeks during mastication in humans, the electromyographic activity (EMG) was recorded from the buccinator muscle and the masseter muscle with bipolar surface electrodes in five adult subjects with normal dentition during the mastication of gumi and chewing gum. Gumi was made of gelatine . Summary findings are: (1) The buccinator muscle activity during mastication on the chewing side was larger than that on the balancing side.(2) The buccinator muscle activity during the mastication of gumi was gradually decreased according to the progress of mastication, but it was not changed during the mastication of chewing gum. The relation between these buccinator muscle activities and the role of cheeks during mastication was discussed.