Temporalis

Origin, Insertion, Action, Innervation

Origin: Temporal fossa (the entire concavity of the temporal and parietal bones, bounded by the inferior temporal line), temporal fascia
Insertion: Coronoid process of the mandible, anterior border of the ramus of the mandible
Action:
Primary: Elevation of the mandible (closing the jaw)
Posterior fibers: Retraction (retrusion) of the mandible
Ipsilateral deviation of the mandible during chewing
Innervation: Deep temporal nerves — branches of the mandibular division of the trigeminal nerve (CN V3)

Palpation Guide

Client position: Supine or seated.
Landmark sequence:

Place your fingertips on the temple — the flat area lateral to the eye, above the zygomatic arch. You are on the temporalis.
The muscle fills the entire temporal fossa — trace superiorly from the zygomatic arch to the superior temporal line (approximately at the level of the forehead hairline).
Trace the anterior fibers — they run vertically, from the frontal bone down to the coronoid process.
Trace the posterior fibers — they run more horizontally, from the parietal bone forward and downward to the coronoid process, passing deep to the zygomatic arch.

Tissue feel: A thin, flat muscle that closely follows the contour of the skull. In a relaxed state, it feels soft and pliant against the bone beneath. In a hypertonic state, it feels rigid and boardlike, with palpable taut bands running from the temporal fossa toward the coronoid process.
Confirmation test: Ask the client to clench the jaw. The temporalis contracts under your fingertips across the entire temporal fossa. Alternatively, ask the client to retract the jaw (pull the chin backward) — the posterior fibers will engage.
Common errors:
Treating the temporal region for headache without actually assessing temporalis TrPs — students may apply general effleurage without palpating for specific taut bands and TrPs.
Confusing temporalis tension with migraine — the temporal location of pain leads clients and students to assume vascular headache. Always palpate the temporalis for TrPs before concluding the headache is vascular.
Missing the posterior fibers — students focus on the easily palpable anterior fibers at the temple and neglect the posterior portion behind the ear.

Trigger Point Referral

Common TrP locations: Anterior fibers have TrPs along the anterior temporal fossa (above the eye). Middle fibers have TrPs at mid-temple. Posterior fibers have TrPs above and behind the ear.
Referral pattern: Anterior TrPs refer to the upper incisors, frontal region, and supraorbital area. Middle TrPs refer to the upper teeth (premolars and molars) and the mid-temporal region. Posterior TrPs refer behind the eye and to the upper molars.
Clinical significance: Temporalis is the most common muscular source of "sinus pain" across the forehead and upper teeth. If the client has been treated for chronic sinusitis without improvement, palpate the anterior temporalis — the referral pattern overlaps almost exactly with maxillary sinus distribution.

Trigger point referral diagram — coming soon

Image coming soon. For visual reference, see [Temporalis at TriggerPoints.net](http://www.triggerpoints.net/muscle/temporalis).

Clinical Notes

Innervation significance:

Innervated by CN V3 (mandibular division of the trigeminal nerve), the same nerve that supplies the masseter and pterygoids. All muscles of mastication share this nerve, so TMJ dysfunction typically involves the entire group, not just one muscle.

Common conditions:

A primary contributor to conditions/tmj-dysfunction — temporalis hypertonicity restricts jaw opening and produces lateral jaw deviation toward the restricted side.
The posterior fibers retract the mandible. Hypertonicity of the posterior temporalis can produce a retruded mandibular position, increasing posterior loading of the TMJ condyle against the posterior capsule — a mechanism for TMJ posterior capsulitis.
TrPs contribute to conditions/tension-headache — the temporal referral pattern is the defining characteristic of temporal-region headache from muscular origin.
Upper tooth referral mimics dental pathology — clients pursue unnecessary dental interventions for temporalis-referred pain.

What you'll typically find:

In TMJ clients, temporalis is hypertonic bilaterally along with the masseter. The muscle feels rigid across the temporal fossa. Palpation of the anterior fibers often reproduces the client's forehead "sinus" headache.
The posterior fibers are frequently overlooked — palpate behind the ear and above the ear for TrPs that refer deep retro-orbital pain.
Temporalis hypertonicity is strongly associated with stress and bruxism. Like the masseter, it is a muscle that tightens with emotional tension.

Treatment effects:

Responds well to circular friction and sustained compression over the temporal fossa. Because the muscle is directly over bone, you can use moderate pressure without risk of compressing deeper structures.
The posterior fibers respond to fingertip compression along the temporal line above and behind the ear.
Post-treatment, clients with temporal headache typically report immediate reduction in headache intensity. Jaw opening may also improve.

Cautions:

The temporal artery runs superficially over the temporalis — it is palpable and often visible as a tortuous vessel at the temple. Avoid heavy friction directly over the artery.
The temporal region is relatively thin bone in some individuals — use fingertip pressure, not elbows or tools.

Postural significance:

Temporalis is not directly involved in cervical postural patterns but is strongly linked to the stress-clenching pattern. Clients with upper crossed syndrome and chronic stress frequently demonstrate concurrent temporalis and masseter hypertonicity — the jaw clenching pattern accompanies the shoulder elevation pattern.

Clinical pearl:

The posterior fibers of temporalis are the only muscle of mastication that retracts the mandible. If a client reports pain at the back of the TMJ (posterior capsule region) that worsens with jaw opening, check the posterior temporalis — hypertonicity pulls the condyle posteriorly into the capsule. Releasing the posterior temporalis and lateral pterygoid (which protracts) can rebalance condylar position.

Assessment

Manual muscle testing:

Jaw elevation (clenching): Client seated. Ask the client to clench while you palpate the temporal fossa bilaterally. Compare the bulk and tone of the contraction bilaterally.
Mandibular retraction: Client seated with mouth slightly open. Ask the client to pull the chin backward (retract the mandible). This isolates the posterior fibers.

Stretch test:

Mandibular depression (mouth opening): Same as masseter — measure the distance between upper and lower incisors. Restriction suggests masseter and/or temporalis shortening.
Mandibular protraction: Client seated. Ask the client to push the lower jaw forward (protraction). Restriction in protraction may indicate tight posterior temporalis fibers.

Related special orthopedic tests:

TMJ palpation — note clicking, crepitus, or deviation during jaw opening and closing
Jaw deviation on opening — deviation toward the restricted side suggests ipsilateral temporalis or masseter restriction

Muscle Groups

Muscles of mastication (anatomical):

Jaw elevators (closers) (functional):

Mandibular retractors (functional):

Temporalis (this article) — posterior fibers only

Trigeminal nerve — mandibular division (CN V3) group (innervation):

Related Muscles

Synergists for jaw elevation:

anatomy/muscles/masseter — the most powerful jaw closer; always assess alongside temporalis
anatomy/muscles/medial-pterygoid — deep synergist for elevation

Antagonists:

anatomy/muscles/lateral-pterygoid — primary jaw depressor (opener) and protractor
anatomy/muscles/digastric — assists jaw opening

Clinically related:

anatomy/muscles/upper-trapezius — TrP referral overlaps in the temporal region; both should be assessed in temporal headache

Key Takeaways

The primary muscular source of temporal headache and the most common muscle behind "sinus pain" across the forehead — palpate anterior temporalis before assuming sinusitis.
Posterior fiber hypertonicity retracts the mandibular condyle into the posterior TMJ capsule — a specific mechanism for posterior TMJ pain.
Directly over bone with no vulnerable deep structures — one of the safest muscles to treat with sustained compression.