Sitting or standing
Anterior or lateral to the patient
Please sit (or stand).
I would like to check the function of a muscle of your jaw.
Please look at this picture of a person opening the mouth against resistance.
(Or . . . Please look at me while I open my mouth against resistance.)
May I touch the jaw inside your mouth?
(If the answer is yes) I will gently place my finger on the inside of your mouth while you open your mouth against resistance.
(If the answer is no) Please place your thumb under your chin and resist opening your mouth, relax, and then repeat this motion while I observe.
(If the answer is yes) I will gently place my finger on the inside of your mouth while you open your mouth against resistance.
(If the answer is no) Please place your thumb under your chin and resist opening your mouth, relax, and then repeat this motion while I observe.
The patient/client is sitting (or standing)
and either facing a mirror or facing the person who will open the mouth.
After showing a picture or demonstrating this motion,
ask the patient/client to open his/her mouth while you apply resistance to the mouth opening.
This can be accomplished by trying to push the mouth closed with your thumb placed
under the patient/client's chin.
With the muscle relaxed initially and with permission,
gently place one or two fingers inside the mouth at the level of the temporomandibular joint and
ask the patient/client to open the mouth while you apply resistance to opening.
Ask the person to relax and repeat these motions if necessary.
If permission is not granted,
then observe as the person opens the mouth while applying his/her own resistance,
relaxes and then repeats these motions if necessary.
Palpation of this muscle can not be demonstrated by video from the outer aspect of the face as the muscle is palpated on the inside of the mouth.