Anatomy of Yawning

After completion of this video session, it is expected that you will be able to:
Identify the muscles of mastication
Differentiate between the action of muscles of mastication and those of facial expression
Describe the bony features of the temporomandibular joint
Explain why a forward movement of the mandible would result in mouth opening
Discuss the function of lateral pterygoid muscle
Outline the role of lateral pterygoid muscle as a mouth opener in yawing
Identify the location of the pterygoid venous plexus and some of its connections
Explain how the lateral pterygoid acts a venous pump

Presented and edited by Dr. Akram Jaffar, Ph.D.
Department of Medical Neuroscience
Dalhousie Medicine New Brunswick.