Which muscle raises and retracts the jaw?

Prepare for the VTCT Level 2 Facial and Skincare Test. Revise with flashcards and multiple choice questions, accompanied by insightful explanations. Ace your assessment with confidence!

Multiple Choice

Which muscle raises and retracts the jaw?

The muscle that raises (elevates) and retracts the jaw is the temporalis. It sits on the side of the skull and attaches to the coronoid process of the mandible. When it contracts, the front part of the muscle elevates the jaw to close the mouth, while the posterior fibers pull the mandible backward, producing retraction. This combination—elevation plus posterior contraction—fits the action described. The masseter mainly elevates the jaw and is less about retraction; the other two muscles act on the lips and cheeks rather than the jaw, so they don’t contribute to raising and retracting the jaw.

The muscle that raises (elevates) and retracts the jaw is the temporalis. It sits on the side of the skull and attaches to the coronoid process of the mandible. When it contracts, the front part of the muscle elevates the jaw to close the mouth, while the posterior fibers pull the mandible backward, producing retraction. This combination—elevation plus posterior contraction—fits the action described. The masseter mainly elevates the jaw and is less about retraction; the other two muscles act on the lips and cheeks rather than the jaw, so they don’t contribute to raising and retracting the jaw.

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