Anatomy of the Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ)

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Video commentary excerpt

The craniofacial and muscular anatomy is the basis of all medical and / or dental knowledge. Here we describe the skeletal and muscular anatomy of the Temporomandibular joint (TMJ).

This joint is made up of three elements:

Bone parts: mandibular fossa and condylar process coated with a five-millimeter layer of fibro-cartilage.

The intercondylar structures: the articular disc in three-dimensional view, biconcave with three areas:

the anterior area, fusion of anterior fibers of the disc with the joint capsule, and muscle network.

The intercondylar eminence which is the finest, and the posterior area which is thicker and more resistant, it is not innervated or vascularized.

the bilaminar area consisting of connective and vascular tissues, elastic fibers, and nerve fibers, follows the posterior area of the disc.

The synovial membrane with its liquid marking off a superior TMJ disc compartment and a lower condyle-disc compartment. The joint capsule, the medial ligament, the stylomandibular ligament ligament and the sphenomandibular ligament.

The neuromuscular group: the lateral pterygoid and temporal muscles and a deep masseter muscle bundle are inserted on the end of the anterolateral angle of the disk.

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