American   Academy   f   Manual   Medicine

Home  Search  Pain referral  Trigger points  Cranial nerve  Spinal nerve  Historical  About us  Contact us  Site map 

 

Medial Pterygoid
Pointer Plus

Pointer Plus

The Pointer Plus is an easy to use trigger point (TP) locator which incorporates a push button stimulation feature to immediately treat Trigger point pain.

 

The Medial Pterygoid is a facial muscle.

Anatomical Attachments:

  • Origin: Attaches to the medial surface of the lateral pterygoid plate and the palatine bone, with a small attachment to the maxillary tuberosity.
  • Insertion: Attaches to the inferior, posterior and medial surfaces of the ramus and the angle of the mandible.

Action: This muscle of mastication extends and elevates the lower jaw and aids in the rotation motion while chewing.

Synergist: Temporalis, Masseter, and Lateral Pterygoid.

Antagonist: Inferior division of Lateral Pterygoid, Digastric.

Nerve Supply: Mandibular division of the trigeminal nerve (Cranial nerve V)

Nerve Entrapment: Entrapment of the chorda tympani portion of the lingual nerve, which may result in oral paresthesia. This must be differentiated between that of a nerve entrapment and the occasional paresthesia accompanying trigger points of the platysma.

Vascular supply: Pterygoid branches of the maxillary and facial arteries.

Travell and Simons Trigger Point Pain Referral:  

Click on a small image to view an enlarged image

 

Trigger Point Signs and Symptoms: Stuffiness of the ears, sore throat, painful swallowing, and restricted jaw opening.

Trigger Point Activating and Perpetuating Factors: Prolonged forward head bending, chewing, clenching of teeth, anxiety or emotional tension.

Differential Diagnosis: Tinnitus, Ear drum perforation, Ear infection, Mastoiditis, (Segmental, Subluxation, Somatic dysfunction) C2 radiculopathy, Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD), Pharyngitis, laryngitis, common cold, influenza, Strep infection, Tetanus, Tonsillitis, Oral cancer, Neuralgia, Canker sore, Dry mouth, Glossitis, Mononucleosis, Smoke inhalation, Systemic infections or inflammation, Nutritional inadequacy, Metabolic imbalance, Toxicity, Side effects of medication.

 

Back to Top

 

Return to Search 

 



Home  Search  Pain referral  Trigger points  Cranial nerve  Spinal nerve  Historical  About us  Contact us  Site map 

Continuing Education © Copyright 2001, 2004, 2006. All rights reserved.