The mandible (jawbone) is controlled by the four muscles of mastication (chewing)

The mandible (jawbone) is controlled by the four muscles of mastication (chewing).

The four muscles and their actions are:

1)temporalis: elevates and retracts the mandible (you can feel this by clenching your closed jaw and putting your hands on the sides of your head)

2)medial pterygoid: elevates mandible and allows for lateral movement (move your jaw side to side)

3)lateral pterygoid: protracts the mandible (push you chin forward to feel this movement)

4)masseter: also is involved with elevating and retracting.