Objective To establish the animal model of denervated masseter and observe the changes of denervated masseter. Methods The model of denervated masseter was established by abscising selectively masseteric nerve, its superior division or inferior division of the right in 75 New Zealand rabbits and the left served as negative control. Another 25 rabbits were used as normal control. The thickness of experimental masseter was compared with that of negative controls and normal controls by type B ultrasound examination, and the histochemistry for the masseter changes was done at the 2~ nd , 4~ th , 8~ th , 12~ th , 24~ th week after masseter was cut off. Results The thickness of experimental masseteric muscle got thinner, and the section area of muscle fiber got smaller, but the type of musle fiber was of no obvious changes, as compared with that of normal controls. Conclusion The model is available and credible, and useful in researching masseter of denervated nerve in rabbit.