ASSESSMENT OF MASSETER MUSCLE THICKNESS IN AN ADULT NIGERIAN POPULATION: AN ULTRASOUND BASED STUDY

Knowledge of the masseter muscle thickness (MMT) is important in individualizing facial reconstruction as it forms a major part of facial musculature involved in mastication. MMT in two different states (Relaxed: MMT-Relaxed and Clenched: MMT-Clenched) was assessed in a young adult population in Nigeria using ultrasonography. Results show that MMT-Relaxed and MMT-Clenched for the total population were 13.41±3.10mm and 17.03±3.50mm respectively. The value for males in both states was significantly higher than those of their female counterparts (P=0.000) at P<0.05 being level of significance. The values are in slight agreement with previous studies and will serve as a guidepost in further understanding of the morphology and functional aspects of masseter muscle in an African population.