Temporomandibular joint

Question 1

Temporomandibular joint

Answer 1

• paired
• mandible connects with skull base
• joint surfaces are - caput mandibulae fossa mandibularis and tuberculum articulare ossis temporalis and dorsally pars tympanica ossis temporalis
• Artricular disc (fibrous cartilage) between joint head and pit divides it into two joints - discotemporal and discomandibular joints

Question 2

Ligaments of TMJ

Answer 2

• ligamentum laterale (temporomandibularis) - descends from radix processus zygomaticus ossis temporalis to collumn mandibulae
• Ligamentum stylomandibulare - between proc. styloideus ossis temporalis and angulus mandibulae
• Ligamentum sphenomandibulare - between spina ossis sphenoidalis and lingula mandibulae
• The latter two do not affect TMJ movement

Question 3

Movements of TMJ

Answer 3

• Opening of the mouth - mandibular depression
• Closing of mouth - mandibular elevation
• Shifting of the entire jaw forwards - mandibular protraction
• Shifting of the jaw backwards - mandibular retraction