Musculus buccinator

Musculus Buccinator is a thin, flat muscle located in the cheek, forming the anterior part of the cheek or the lateral wall of the oral cavity. It is primarily associated with the act of blowing and is used while playing wind instruments, hence the name 'buccinator' which is derived from the Latin word 'bucca', meaning 'cheek' or 'mouth'.

Anatomy

The Musculus Buccinator originates from the alveolar processes of the maxilla and mandible, extending from the second molar tooth to the Pterygomandibular Raphe. It inserts into the modiolus, a fibromuscular structure located at the corner of the mouth. The muscle fibers run in a horizontal direction and are enclosed between the facial muscles and the mucous membrane of the mouth.

Function

The primary function of the Musculus Buccinator is to pull back the angle of the mouth and to flatten the cheek area, which aids in holding the cheek to the teeth during mastication. This prevents the cheek from inflating while blowing and assists in the expulsion of air between the lips, as in blowing out a candle. It also aids in speech by maintaining tension over the oral cavity.

Clinical Significance

Damage to the buccinator muscle can result in difficulty while eating, speaking, or performing facial expressions. Conditions such as Bell's Palsy can cause paralysis of the buccinator muscle. In dentistry, the buccinator muscle plays a crucial role in the fitting of complete dentures.

See Also

• Facial Muscles
• Mastication
• Bell's Palsy

References

• Gray, Henry. Anatomy of the Human Body. Philadelphia: Lea & Febiger, 1918; Bartleby.com, 2000. www.bartleby.com/107/.
• Moore, Keith L., and Arthur F. Dalley. Clinically Oriented Anatomy. 4th ed. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 1999.