Buccinator
Musculus buccinator
MuscularDeep musclesHeadLeft and right
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- What it is
- Thin quadrilateral muscle forming the wall of the cheek, from the alveolar processes of the maxilla and mandible opposite the molars and the pterygomandibular raphe, running forwards into the modiolus and orbicularis oris.
- Function
- Presses the cheek against the teeth to keep food between the molars and expels air from the mouth (blowing, playing a trumpet).
- Size
- About 5 cm long, 2–3 cm tall, 2–3 mm thick.
- Clinical note
- Pierced by the parotid duct opposite the upper second molar; although named after the trumpeter, it is supplied by the facial nerve.