Muscle
Buccinator
Muscle of the cheek
High-yield
Keeps food on the occlusal surface during chewing ("trumpeter's muscle"); CN VII, not a muscle of mastication.
Overview
A thin cheek muscle that presses the cheek against the teeth to keep food between the molars during chewing; also used in blowing.
Reference facts
- Origin
Alveolar processes of the maxilla and mandible and the pterygomandibular raphe
- Insertion
Angle of the mouth, blending with orbicularis oris
- Action
Compresses the cheek against the teeth; keeps the food bolus between the teeth; aids blowing and sucking
- Innervation
Buccal branch of the facial nerve (CN VII)
- Blood supply
Facial / buccal arteries