Tempromandibular joint

TEMPROMANDIBULAR JOINT ANATOMY

The tempromandibular joint is a uniquely designed joint that is a remarkable combination of the hinge and gliding joints. These joints are formed by the condylar process of the mandible, which conjoins with the mandibular fossa as well as the articular tubercle of the temporal bone.

TEMPROMANDIBULAR JOINT STRUCTURE

The joint cavity is segregated into a superior and inferior compartment via the articular disk. It is supported and structurally reinforced by ligaments. The lateral ligament is situated on the lateral edge of the joint capsule and hosts the parotid gland.

This ligament serves to prevent serious injury by disallowing the head of the mandible to be displaced posterior to its intended location which would fracture the tympanic plate when the chin would receive impact.

TEMPROMANDIBULAR JOINT DIAGRAM

The stylomandibular ligament is not directly designed for but also provides extention inferior and anterior in order to create structure for the mandible. Extending from the spine of the sphenoid bone and following through to the ramus of the mandible, the sphenomandibular ligament is located.

As a result, the tempromandibular joint performs the function of a gliding joint, a hinge joint, and also perform lateral rotary motion.The lateral motion can be attributed to the articular disk.