buccinator (muscle)
facial muscle of cheek; origin, posterior portion of alveolar portion of maxilla and mandible and pterygomandibular raphe; insertion, angle of mouth; also become interspersed with more horizontal portions of the orbicularis oris; action, flattens cheek, retracts angle of mouth; plays an important role in mastication, working with tongue and orbicularis oris muscle to keep food between teeth; when it is paralyzed, as in Bell palsy, food accumulates in the oral vestibule; nerve supply, facial.Synonym(s): musculus buccinatorTA, cheek muscle
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