National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) Practice Exam

The presence of significant atrophy of the temporalis muscle may indicate which of the following?

1. TMJ disorder

2. Cerebrovascular accident

3. Frontal lobe stroke

4. Peripheral neuropathy

The correct answer is: TMJ disorder

The significant atrophy of the temporalis muscle typically indicates a dysfunction related to the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) or disturbances in the surrounding structures. In the context of TMJ disorders, the muscles responsible for mastication, including the temporalis, can experience atrophy due to disuse or dysfunction. Chronic TMJ issues often lead to altered jaw mechanics, resulting in muscle strain and disuse, subsequently causing noticeable muscle wasting over time. In contrast, while a cerebrovascular accident, frontal lobe stroke, or peripheral neuropathy can lead to various types of muscle atrophy, they do not specifically target the temporalis muscle or are characterized by more generalized muscle weakness rather than localized atrophy. For instance, strokes affecting the frontal lobe may lead to weakness in the muscles of the face but would not typically isolate atrophy to a specific muscle like the temporalis. Similarly, peripheral neuropathy affects the peripheral nerves and would result in different patterns of atrophy and weakness that don’t specifically indicate issues with the temporalis muscle. Thus, the presence of significant atrophy specifically related to the temporalis muscle aligns most closely with TMJ disorders.