Spry Juncture, LLC
How to Evolve Gracefully
Temporalis
Region
📷 Temporal muscle animation small by Anatomography, via Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 2.1 JP
Origin & Insertion
['Origin: Temporal fossa and temporal lines of parietal bone', 'Insertion: Coronoid process of mandible']
Synergistic Muscles
['Masseter', 'Medial pterygoid']
Joints
['Temporomandibular joint (TMJ)']
Primary Actions
['Elevation of mandible', 'Retraction of mandible']
Nerve & Spinal Segment
Mandibular branch of trigeminal nerve (CN V3)
Cranial nerve; trigeminal ganglion
Interesting
One of the strongest chewing muscles. [Gray’s Anatomy]
Reversal of Action
Jaw stays still while pulling skull downward (rare, for cueing awareness)
Common Dysfunctions
Jaw clenching, TMJ disorder
How to Stretch
Place fingers along temples, open mouth slowly while applying gentle pressure inward.
Trigger Points
How to Strengthen
Clench jaw with resistance under chin, hold 5 seconds.
Concentric Action
Clench jaw during bite
Applications:
Stabilizes TMJ; useful in bruxism or TMJ dysfunction treatment
Eccentric Action
Slowly open jaw against light resistance
Isotonic Action
Repetitive biting or chewing exercises
Related Conditions
['Bruxism', 'Tension-type headaches', 'TMJ disorder']
Isometric Action
Hold a jaw clench without movement
Exercise Ideas
['Isometric jaw clench', 'Controlled mouth opening', 'Templar massage with clench']