If there is pain in the maxillary premolars, what muscle is the pain deferred?

• A. Anterior temporalis
• B. Posterior temporalis
• C. Middle temporalis
• D. Lower superficial masseter

Answer: (C)

Pain from masticatory muscles often shows up in the teeth that lie under the corresponding part of the muscle. The temporalis muscle has three portions that run over different sections of the dental arch. The middle portion lies roughly over the premolar region, so when this part of the muscle is tense or irritated, the brain may perceive the feeling as coming from the maxillary premolars rather than from the muscle itself. That’s why pain in the maxillary premolars can be a referred symptom of middle temporalis activity. By comparison, the anterior temporalis tends to refer to the front teeth (incisors and canines), and the posterior temporalis tends to refer to the molars; the lower superficial masseter would be more associated with the lower teeth.