Temporalis

About the temporalis of the dog

Temporalis is a muscle of the head (head), one on each side of the body. Its name in the Nomina Anatomica Veterinaria is Musculus temporalis. You can turn it above, see it in place in the head of the dog, and open it inside the whole animal in Vetomica.

Where it runs from and to

A muscle is told apart from its neighbours by what it takes hold of at each end, which is also what decides what it does when it shortens.

Origin

Temporal fossa of the skull, bounded by the sagittal crest, nuchal crest and temporal line.

Insertion

Coronoid process of the mandible, enclosing it on both faces.

Action

Closes the jaws with great force; the largest jaw-closing muscle in the dog.

Nerve

Deep temporal nerves of the mandibular nerve (trigeminal, CN V).

Written for Vetomica in its own words from the standard reference anatomy of the dog; the books it was checked against are listed below.

What it works on

Bones it takes hold of

• Parietal bone
• Frontal bone
• Temporal bone squamous part
• Interparietal bone
• Mandible

Joints it moves

• Temporomandibular joint

Muscles and ligaments it works with

• Masseter
• Pterygoideus lateralis
• Frontoscutular muscle
• Interscutularis
• Orbital ligament

Terminology

English

Temporalis

Latin (NAV)

Musculus temporalis

Status

A valid term in the Nomina Anatomica Veterinaria

References

Where to read this structure in full, and where the named parts above were read.

• NAV 2017Myologia
• Miller's Anatomy of the Dog, 5th ed.The Muscular System: muscles of the head
• Dyce, Sack & WensingThe head and ventral neck of the dog and cat
• Miller 2020 (book pass)ch. 6 The Muscular System, PDF p. 476

Questions about the temporalis

What is the Latin name of the temporalis?

In the Nomina Anatomica Veterinaria, the temporalis is called Musculus temporalis.

Where is the temporalis of the dog?

Temporalis is a muscle of the head (head), one on each side of the body.

Which bones does the temporalis attach to?

Temporalis takes hold of Parietal bone, Frontal bone, Temporal bone squamous part, Interparietal bone and Mandible.

Where does the temporalis originate and insert?

Origin: Temporal fossa of the skull, bounded by the sagittal crest, nuchal crest and temporal line. Insertion: Coronoid process of the mandible, enclosing it on both faces.

What nerve supplies the temporalis?

Deep temporal nerves of the mandibular nerve (trigeminal, CN V).

What does the temporalis do?

Closes the jaws with great force; the largest jaw-closing muscle in the dog.