masticators

Teeth for chewing

Masticators are things that chew or grind.

The term applies to muscles of the jaw involved in chewing, to industrial machines that grind or pulverize materials, and occasionally to people or animals doing the chewing: The masticators worked through the pile of wood chips.

The singular masticator follows the same pattern.

anatomy

masseter

Jaw-closing muscle

temporalisSkull muscle for chewing
mandibleLower facial bone
jaw musclesMuscles controlling mandible movement

temporomandibular · facial anatomy · innervation · musculature · skeletal muscle · insertion · origin · tendon · fiber · contraction

function

chewing

Crushing food orally

grindingMolar action sometimes
crushingOverwhelming in intensity
pulverizingBreaking into particles

bite force · gnashing · clenching · articulation · oscillation

dental

molars

Rear crushing teeth

premolarsTeeth with two cusps
bicuspidsTwo-cusped chewing teeth
teethEnamel-covered chewing structures

enamel · cusps · occlusion · dental arch · bruxism · dentures · orthodontics · malocclusion · crown

equipment

meat grinder

Appliance for pulverizing flesh

food processorMotorized chopping appliance
millGrain-crushing facility
pestleBowl's crushing companion

mortar · crusher · pulverizer · grinder · blender · auger · slow juicer · cold press

Opposites

food processing method

masticatorsswallowers

Those who ingest whole

gulpers · bolters · regurgitators · spitters · expellers

oral mechanical action

masticatorsswallowers

Those who ingest whole

gulpers · suckers · sippers · lappers · slurpers

anatomical function

masticatorstongue depressors

Flat sticks for oral exams

soft palate

Family

masticatory

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