15. Masseter

Origin: Zygomatic arch and maxillary process of the zygomatic bone

Insertion: Ramus of the mandible and coronoid process

Action:

  • Elevation of the mandible
  • Protrusion of the mandible

Innervation: Mandibular nerve – a branch of the trigeminal nerve (CN V3)

Masseter muscle.
Figure 2.35 Masseter, adapted by Kevjonesin from the original image by Henry Gray and Henry Vandyke Carter, CC BY-SA 3.0.
Masseter with facial artery.
Figure 2.36 Masseter with facial artery, by Henry Gray and Henry Vandyke Carter (Public domain).

Needling

Position: Supine, often with head rotated contralaterally

Palpation: Ask the patient to clench their jaw to help isolate this muscle

Technique: Needle perpendicular along the ramus of the mandible

Caution: Low – avoid going too deep in the mid-portion of the masseter above the ramus

Needling of masseter.
Figure 2.37 Needling of masseter, original image by Nadine Crocker, CC BY-NC 4.0.
Needling of masseter.
Figure 2.38 Needling of masseter, original image by Nadine Crocker, CC BY-NC 4.0.

Video 2.16 Needling of masseter, original video by Nadine Crocker, CC BY-NC 4.0.

License

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Sinew Channel Needling Copyright © 2026 by Nadine Crocker is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License, except where otherwise noted.

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