The buccinator forms the muscular cheek wall. The parotid duct pierces the buccinator to enter the oral cavity opposite the upper second molar — a key surgical landmark.
| Origin | Alveolar processes of maxilla and mandible at molar level, and the pterygomandibular raphe |
|---|---|
| Insertion | Modiolus — blending with orbicularis oris fibres |
| Nerve Supply | Facial nerve — buccal branches (VII) |
| Blood Supply | Buccal artery from maxillary artery |
| Actions | Compresses the cheek against the teeth during chewing; Produces the forceful cheek compression in blowing and sucking |
|---|
The buccinator is the landmark for parotid duct repair. Buccinator island flaps are used in intraoral reconstruction. In masseter botulinum injection for bruxism, the buccinator must be avoided to prevent cheek weakness.
Palpated bilaterally during forceful cheek puffing.
Botulinum diffusion from masseter injection producing cheek weakness and chewing difficulty, resolving spontaneously.
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