Orientation and Function of the Medial Pterygoid

The medial pterygoid elevates and orientates the mandible laterally
during chewing in conjunction with the masseter.

For example, the right medial pterygoid (red muscle with yellow arrow) will slightly
shift the mandible toward the "working side" where the food is (target, to the left).
The orientation of the masseters and medial pterygoids provide the slight
lateral jaw shifts required during chewing.

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