The |temporalis| muscle is a flat, fan-shaped muscle located in the temple. It arises in the temporal |fossa| and fills the depression on the side of the |skull|, inserting on the |coronoid process| of the |mandible| (jaw bone) and the front edge of the |ramus| of the |mandible|. This muscle pulls the jaw upward, which closes the jaw and helps you clench your |teeth| for chewing.
