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The interactive dog atlas · Muscles · Head

Temporalis musculus temporalis

The temporalis is the most massive muscle of the head. It sits on the sides of the skull, from above the eye to the nape, and attaches to the lower jaw.

Open in the interactive atlas Guide: Muscles Worksheet

Educational material, not a diagnostic tool. Written by the Mantrailing România team from veterinary sources we read. Updated 14.11.2026.

Dog in left lateral view — exterior, muscles, skeleton and organs Vector study after the Ellenberger, Baum and Dittrich plates: a standing dog, head to the left, deep chest and digitigrade limbs. The four layers use the same contour: exterior with body regions, superficial muscles, skeleton and organs.
Temporalis on the atlas drawing, "Muscles" layer. Left lateral view, after the Ellenberger, Baum and Dittrich plates.

Where it is

On the sides of the skull, in the temporal fossa, from above the eye to the nape.

Layer
Muscles
System
Muscles
Region
Head

What it is and what it does

The most massive muscle of the head in carnivores, thick and elastic. It arises from the temporal fossa (and from the sagittal crest) and inserts by a tendinous sheet on the coronoid process of the mandible. It closes the mouth, so it bites, and it guards the temporomandibular joint against forward luxation.

Worth remembering

It closes the mouth, so it gives the bite its force, and it guards the jaw joint.

Names

  • Latin term: musculus temporalis.
  • In Romanian: Temporalul (Romanian page).

Guides it appears in

From the same region: Head

All structures, in the atlas · Flashcards: muscles