Final answer:
The pterygomandibular raphe connects the buccinator muscle with the superior constrictor muscle of the pharynx, playing a role in the process of mastication and supporting the movements of adjacent muscles like the masseter and medial pterygoid.
Step-by-step explanation:
The pterygomandibular raphe is an anatomical structure that serves as a connective tissue band in the oral cavity and connects the buccinator muscle to the superior constrictor muscle of the pharynx. It effectively forms a bridge between these muscles, which play a role in the coordination of movements necessary for chewing and swallowing. The raphe itself is not directly connected to the muscles that move the jaw; instead, it provides a structural framework within which other muscles operate.
This structural feature facilitates the complex muscular coordination involved in mastication and is located in the vicinity of primary muscles like the masseter and medial pterygoid, which are responsible for the elevation and side-to-side movements of the mandible. The masseter is the main muscle for chewing that elevates the mandible to close the mouth, while the medial pterygoid muscle assists in moving the mandible side-to-side during chewing.