Buccinator

/ˌbʌksɪˈneɪtər/ noun

Definition

A soldier or musician in ancient Rome who played the buccina, or a muscle in the cheek that helps with chewing and speech.

Etymology

From Latin buccinator, derived from buccina (trumpet) with the agent suffix -ator, literally meaning 'one who plays the trumpet' or from bucca (cheek) for the anatomical muscle.

Kelly Says

Your buccinator muscle is named after the Roman trumpet because it's in your cheek—the same place Romans puffed out to blow their war trumpets!

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