Which Muscle Opens the Jaws and Protrudes the Mandible

Question

Which muscle opens the jaws and protrudes the mandible?
A) medial pterygoid
B) temporalis
C) masseter
D) lateral pterygoid

Accepted Answer

The lateral pterygoid muscle is responsible for opening the jaw and protruding the mandible. The medial pterygoid, temporalis, and masseter muscles are also involved in chewing and moving the jaw but do not have the same specific actions as the lateral pterygoid.