buccinator (muscle)


buc·ci·na·tor (mus·cle)

[TA] facial muscle of cheek; origin, posterior portion of alveolar portion of maxilla and mandible and pterygomandibular raphe; insertion, angle of mouth; also become interspersed with more horizontal portions of the orbicularis oris; action, flattens cheek, retracts angle of mouth; plays an important role in mastication, working with tongue and orbicularis oris muscle to keep food between teeth; when it is paralyzed, as in Bell palsy, food accumulates in the oral vestibule; nerve supply, facial. Synonym(s): musculus buccinator [TA], cheek muscle