temporalis
/ˌtɛmpəˈreɪlɪs/
noun
- A large, fan-shaped muscle on the side of the head that helps close the jaw and is used in chewing.
- The temporalis muscle can be felt bulging when you clench your teeth.
- Dentists sometimes check the temporalis for tenderness if a patient has jaw pain.
- Chewing tough food exercises the temporalis along with other jaw muscles.