What is "temporal muscle"

n. muscle extending from the temporal fossa to the coronoid process of the mandible; acts to raise the mandible and close the jaws [syn: temporalis muscle, temporalis, musculus temporalis]

The temporal muscle, also known as the temporalis, is one of the muscles of mastication. It is a broad, fan-shaped muscle on each side of the head that fills the temporal fossa, superior to the zygomatic arch so it covers much of the temporal bone.