INBDE (Integrated National Board Dental Examination) Practice Exam

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What action is produced by the lateral pterygoid muscle?

  1. Mandibular protrusion

  2. Mandibular elevation

  3. Contralateral excursion

  4. Ipsilateral excursion

The correct answer is: Contralateral excursion

The lateral pterygoid muscle is responsible for jaw movement, specifically lateral or side-to-side movement. This is known as excursion. The options of mandibular protrusion and mandibular elevation refer to different types of jaw movement that are not produced by the lateral pterygoid muscle. Contralateral excursion means moving the jaw to the opposite side of the muscle's contraction, while ipsilateral excursion means moving the jaw to the same side of the muscle's contraction. Since the lateral pterygoid muscle is located on one side of the jaw, it is responsible for moving the jaw in the opposite direction, making contralateral excursion the correct response.