Which masticatory muscle pulls the condyle forward every time the mandible leaves centric relation?

The correct answer is the inferior lateral pterygoid muscle. This muscle plays a crucial role in mandibular movements, particularly in the process of opening the mouth and in dynamic occlusion. When the mandible moves away from centric relation—an occlusion where the upper and lower jaws are in the closest contact—the inferior lateral pterygoid contracts to pull the head of the condyle forward and downward, allowing the mandible to protrude and open.

The other muscles, while important in mastication, do not primarily function to pull the condyle forward in the same manner. The deep masseter and temporalis muscles generally contribute to the elevation and retraction of the mandible, helping with chewing and stabilizing the jaw rather than moving the condyle forward. The digastric muscle assists in depressing the mandible but is not primarily responsible for pulling the condyle forward during these movements. Hence, the unique role of the inferior lateral pterygoid in facilitating forward movement of the condyle when leaving centric relation makes it the correct choice in this question.