Which of the following muscles causes the forward movement of the condyle in the glenoid fossa?
Masseter
Temporalis
Medial pterygoid
Lateral pterygoid
The lateral pterygoid muscle has 2 heads, one arising from the outer part of the lateral pterygoid plate and other from the base of sphenoid bone. The two heads come together and are inserted into the neck of the condyle. The main function of this muscle is to draw both the head of the condyle and the disc forward during opening movement. Lateral pterygoid muscles cause the forward movement of the condyle into the glenoid fossa.