Bucinator

Bucinator

  • Latin synonym: Musculus bucinator; Musculus buccinator
  • Synonym: Bucinator muscle; Buccinator muscle
  • Related terms: Buccinator

Definition

Origin: Alveolar processes of the maxillary bone and mandible, pterygomandibular raphe

Insertion: In the fibres of the orbicularis oris

Artery: Buccal artery

Nerve: Buccal branch of the facial nerve

Action: Compress the cheeks against the teeth (blowing),mastication.

Description:
The Buccinator is a thin quadrilateral muscle, occupying the interval between the maxilla and the mandible at the side of the face. It arises from the outer surfaces of the alveolar processes of the maxilla and mandible, corresponding to the three molar teeth; and behind, from the anterior border of the pterygomandibular raphé which separates it from the Constrictor pharyngis superior. The fibers converge toward the angle of the mouth, where the central fibers intersect each other, those from below being continuous with the upper segment of the Orbicularis oris, and those from above with the lower segment; the upper and lower fibers are continued forward into the corresponding lip without decussation. The Buccinator is covered by the buccopharyngeal fascia, and is in relation by its superficial surface, behind, with a large mass of fat, which separates it from the ramus of the mandible, the Masseter, and a small portion of the Temporalis; this fat has been named the suctorial pad, because it is supposed to assist in the act of sucking. The parotid duct pierces the Buccinator opposite the second molar tooth of the maxilla. The deep surface is in relation with the buccal glands and mucous membrane of the mouth.

This definition incorporates text from a public domain edition of Gray's Anatomy (20th U.S. edition of Gray's Anatomy of the Human Body, published in 1918 – from http://www.bartleby.com/107/).

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