“The muscles of mastication, also known as masticatory muscles, are a group of paired muscles located around the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). They produce movements at this joint and are therefore responsible for moving the lower jaw.💡 The masticatory muscles can be subdivided into primary (main) and secondary (accessory) muscles. The primary muscles of mastication include four paired muscles that primarily act during eating. Each person has the following four primary muscles of mastication: