Measuring the Average Thickness of Masseter Muscle via Ultrasonography in Healthy Young Males

Ultrasonography can be used as an imaging technique to study the texture and structure of a muscle (thickness, surface area, fiber length, etc.). Muscle size is an important factor in the diagnosis of muscle health or disease. Masseter is one of the masticatory muscles. Determining the thickness of the masseter muscle with regard to its function on the temporomandibular joint has an important role in the diagnosis of temporomandibular joint disorders. The aim of the present study was to determine the average thickness of the masseter muscle in healthy young people.
Method and Materials: A total of 50 volunteers (25 men and 25 women) in the age range of 18-30 years participated in the current study. Sonography of the masseter muscle was carried out while participants were in supine position and a 12 MHZ linear probe was on the mandible ramus in alignment with the auricle on the muscle belly.
The statistical results showed high reliability of ultrasonic thickness of the masseter muscle in the rest position (ICC=0/8). Muscle thickness in young healthy participants in the rest position was 1.4±1.4 mm. A relationship was observed between gender and thickness of the masseter muscle (P=0.038).
Sonography is a high reliable method in measuring the thickness of the masseter muscle. The masseter muscle thickness was greater in males than in females.