Which muscles are commonly known as the chewing muscles that coordinate the opening and closing of the mouth?

The muscles that are commonly known as the chewing muscles, which play a critical role in the process of mastication (chewing), are the temporalis and masseter.

The masseter is one of the strongest muscles in the human body relative to its size, responsible for elevating the mandible (lower jaw) to close the mouth. Its primary function is to exert force during the grinding and crushing of food.

The temporalis muscle is a fan-shaped muscle located on the side of the head. It assists in elevating and retracting the mandible, allowing for more precise control of the jaw movements necessary for effective chewing.

Together, these two muscles coordinate the complex motions of opening and closing the mouth, enabling the efficient processing of food. Understanding their roles is crucial in the study of human anatomy and physiology, particularly in esthetics, where knowledge of facial structures can impact treatments and procedures.