Buccinator muscle

The buccinator muscle is a muscle in the cheeks at each side of the mouth that flattens the cheek to assist in chewing and suckling.

Origin
The buccinator originates from an arc wrapping around the cheek that involves many internal structures. The origin is at the external edge of the alveolar process of the maxilla by the molars, the maxillary tubercle at the posterior end of the maxilla, the pterygoid hamulus behind the maxilla, down the pterygomandibular raphe to the posterior mylohyoid line on the mandible, and the external edge of the alveolar process of the mandible.

Insertion
The buccinator inserts at the corner of the mouth, decussating at the modiolus of the mouth.

Innervation
The buccinator is innervated by the buccal branch of facial nerve (CN VII).