What is the strongest muscle in the human body?
It depends on how strength is measured. The masseter, a jaw muscle, is often named the strongest because it can bite with great force for its size.
The masseter runs from the cheekbone to the lower jaw. Working with other jaw muscles, it lets people bite with a force that can reach several hundred newtons at the back teeth. For its size, it produces more force than almost any other muscle.
Other muscles win in other ways. The gluteus maximus is the largest muscle and the most powerful for moving the body. The soleus in the calf can produce a very strong pull and works constantly to keep us upright. The heart is the hardest-working muscle, beating about 100,000 times a day.
The tongue myth
A popular claim says the tongue is the strongest muscle. It is not. The tongue is actually a group of eight muscles that work together, and while it has great stamina and flexibility, it is not especially strong.
Did You Know?
The uterus contains some of the most powerful muscles in the body. During childbirth, its contractions are among the strongest forces the body can produce.
This answer is general information, not medical advice. For a personal health question, talk to a doctor.