Medial portion of M. Temporalis and its potential involvement in facial pain.

We describe the morphology, functional capabilities, and clinical anatomical implications of the medial portion of the temporalis muscle. Although recognized in Brazilian, German, French, and Hispanic American textbooks of anatomy, this portion of the temporalis has been unappreciated in those published in England and the United States. Given its morphology, and functional anatomy as revealed in this paper, we conclude that the medial portion of the temporalis could entrap the maxillary nerve and its zygomatic branches inside the pterygopalatine fossa. On these bases we identify this portion of the temporalis as a possible factor in the etiology of some forms of tic douloureux. Copyright 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.