Sphenotemporalis: a new muscle in man.

A previously unreported human muscle was found in two cadaver specimens. The muscle is situated in the infratemporal fossa and lies superior and deep to the main part of the upper head of the lateral pterygoid muscle. The muscle is attached to the skull on each side of the sphenotemporal suture. Its separated nerve supply arises directly from the trigeminal ganglion. A review of the earlier descriptions of the region shows no previous report and therefore the descriptive name sphenotemporalis is proposed. The possible role and ontogenesis of the muscle are briefly discussed.