From which landmark does the masseter originate?

From which landmark does the masseter originate?

• A. Zygomatic arch (inferior border and medial aspect)
• B. Coronoid process
• C. Zygomatic bone
• D. Mandibular angle

Answer: (A)

Masseter starts from the inferior border and medial surface of the zygomatic arch. From there, its fibers pass downward and laterally to attach to the lateral surface of the ramus and the angle of the mandible, enabling a strong jaw-closing action. This makes the zygomatic arch the correct landmark for its origin. The coronoid process is the attachment site for temporalis, not masseter; the mandibular angle is where masseter inserts rather than originates; and the zygomatic bone alone doesn’t specify the arch region needed for this origin.

Masseter starts from the inferior border and medial surface of the zygomatic arch. From there, its fibers pass downward and laterally to attach to the lateral surface of the ramus and the angle of the mandible, enabling a strong jaw-closing action. This makes the zygomatic arch the correct landmark for its origin. The coronoid process is the attachment site for temporalis, not masseter; the mandibular angle is where masseter inserts rather than originates; and the zygomatic bone alone doesn’t specify the arch region needed for this origin.