masseter – A muscle in the jaw that provides power for chewing

(Pronounced mass-uh-tuh)

To remember the meaning of masseter, use the following mnemonic:

It was massive and tough (masseter). The steak made my jaw muscles ache from chewing.

The masseter is a powerful jaw muscle located on each side of the face, running from the cheekbone down to the lower jaw. It is one of the four main muscles of chewing and is considered one of the strongest muscles in the human body relative to its size. The primary function of the masseter is to elevate the mandible, which means it closes the jaw and is essential for biting and chewing food. You can feel the masseter working by placing your fingers on your cheeks and clenching your teeth - the muscle will bulge and contract.