The influence of regional profiles and senescence on the biomechanical properties of the temporalis muscle

The present study focuses on the determination of the biomechanical properties for the human temporalis muscle. Eight pairs of temporalis muscles were collected from fresh cadavers and uniaxial traction tests were performed. Three specific regions were considered within the muscle: anterior, central and posterior. The results show that the central and posterior muscle regions are stiffer than the anterior ones. In order to interpret the different regional mechanical profiles observed in the temporalis muscle, a kinematic structural model for the muscle/joint system is proposed. Age influences the mechanical properties of the muscle, as older samples are apparently stiffer than younger ones.