Which side muscle is primarily responsible for moving the jaw to the right?

Which side muscle is primarily responsible for moving the jaw to the right?

• A. Left lateral pterygoid
• B. Right lateral pterygoid
• C. Masseter
• D. Temporalis

Answer: (A)

Lateral pterygoid muscles drive jaw movement to the side by pulling the condyle and the disc forward. When the left lateral pterygoid contracts, it pulls the left condyle anteriorly. With the right condyle acting as a pivot, the mandible translates toward the right. So, the left lateral pterygoid is the main mover for moving the jaw to the right. The masseter and temporalis mainly elevate and position the jaw (closing, biting), not produce lateral deviation, so they’re not the primary drivers of lateral movement.

Lateral pterygoid muscles drive jaw movement to the side by pulling the condyle and the disc forward. When the left lateral pterygoid contracts, it pulls the left condyle anteriorly. With the right condyle acting as a pivot, the mandible translates toward the right. So, the left lateral pterygoid is the main mover for moving the jaw to the right.

The masseter and temporalis mainly elevate and position the jaw (closing, biting), not produce lateral deviation, so they’re not the primary drivers of lateral movement.