Oral anatomy: muscles of mastication: practice question

A Dentistry question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Dentistry · Oral anatomy: muscles of mastication

Sample item

Which muscle of mastication mainly protrudes the mandible and helps open the mouth?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

B. Lateral pterygoid

The lateral pterygoid pulls the condyle and disc forward, protruding and depressing the mandible. Masseter, temporalis and medial pterygoid are the elevators of the mandible.

Option by option

  • A. Masseter

    Masseter elevates the mandible.

  • B. Lateral pterygoid (correct)

    Correct. It is the main protruder and opener.

  • C. Temporalis

    Temporalis elevates and retracts the mandible.

  • D. Medial pterygoid

    Medial pterygoid elevates the mandible.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this Dentistry question

What is the answer to this Dentistry question?

The best answer is B, Lateral pterygoid. The lateral pterygoid pulls the condyle and disc forward, protruding and depressing the mandible.

Why is "Masseter" not the answer?

Masseter elevates the mandible.

Why is "Temporalis" not the answer?

Temporalis elevates and retracts the mandible.

Why is "Medial pterygoid" not the answer?

Medial pterygoid elevates the mandible.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Oral anatomy: muscles of mastication in Dentistry. Masseter, temporalis and medial pterygoid are the elevators of the mandible.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Oral anatomy: muscles of mastication?

Learn the dental formula, eruption ages and tooth structure once, as tables. Then use the flashcards and the other Dentistry questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.