The SML is a tough,'flat, thin band. It broadens inferiorly, measuring about 12 mm in width on average at the point of its inferior attachment. It is derived from the
perichondrium of
Meckel's cartilage.
Attachments Superiorly, the SML is attached to the
spine of the sphenoid bone (spina angularis by a narrow attachment. Inferiorly, it is attached at to
lingula of mandible and the inferior margin of the
mandibular foramen.
Anatomical relations The
lateral pterygoid muscle,
auriculotemporal nerve, and the
maxillary artery and
maxillary vein are situated laterally to the SML (the vessels and nerve coursing betwixt the SML, and the neck of the
mandibular condyle). The
chorda tympani nerve is situated medially to the SML near its upper end. The
medial pterygoid muscle is situated inferolaterally to the SML. The
inferior alveolar nerve,
artery and vein, and a parotid lobule are situated anteroinferiorly to the SML (all being interposed between the SML and the
ramus of mandible). The SML is pierced by the
mylohyoid nerve (a branch of the inferior alveolvar nerve) and the accompanying mylohyoid artery and vein. Any remaining space between the SML and mandible is taken up by the parotid gland. Between the SML and the pharynx are situated adipose tissue, and a pharyngeal vein. == Function ==