The document provides an overview of the anatomy, development, and surgical anatomy of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). It discusses the key components of the TMJ, including the mandibular condyle, articular surfaces of the temporal bone, articular disc, fibrous capsule, and ligaments. It describes the development of the TMJ from two distinct blastemas beginning in the 7th week in utero. The document highlights several unique features of the TMJ, such as its articular surface being covered by fibrocartilage instead of hyaline cartilage. It also reviews the movements, vascular supply, innervation, and age-related changes of the TMJ.

1. ANATOMY, DEV
ELOPMENT &
SURGICAL
ANATOMY
By – Dr. Sheetal Kapse

2. Contents
• INTRODUCTION
• PECULIARITY OF TMJ
• DEVELOPMENT
• COMPONENTS
• MOVEMENTS
• VASCULAR SUPPLY
• INNERVATIONS
• AGE CHANGES
• SURGICALY ANATOMY
• REFERENCES

3. Introduction
• The most important functions of the temporomandibular
joint (TMJ) are mastication and speech and are of great
interest to dentists, orthodontists, clinicians, and
radiologists.
• The TMJ is a ginglymoarthrodial joint, a term that is
derived from ginglymus, meaning a hinge joint, allowing
motion only backward and forward in one plane, and
arthrodia, meaning a joint of which permits a gliding
motion of the surfaces.
Dorland WA: Medical Dictionary. Philadelphia and London, Saunders
Co., 1957

4. • The right and left TMJ form a bicondylar
articulation and ellipsoid variety of the synovial
joints similar to knee articulation.
• The common features of the synovial joints
exhibited by this joint include a disk, bone, fibrous
capsule, fluid, synovial membrane, and ligaments.
However, the features that differentiate and make
this joint unique are its articular surface covered
by fibrocartilage instead of hyaline cartilage.
Williams PL: Gray’s anatomy, in Skeletal System (ed 38).
Churchill. Livingstone, London, 1999, pp 578-582

5. Peculiarity of TMJ
1. Bilateral diarthrosis – right & left function together
2. Articular surface covered by fibrocartilage
instead of hyaline cartilage
3. Only joint in human body to have a rigid endpoint
of closure that of the teeth making occlusal contact.

6. 4. In contrast to other diarthrodial joints TMJ is last
joint to start develop, in about 7th week in
utero.
5. Develops from two distinct blastema.
Peculiarity of TMJ…….

7. Components

8. • Mandibular condyle
• Articular surfaces of Temporal bone
• Capsule
• Articular disc
• Ligaments
• Muscular component

9. THE MANDIBULAR
CONDYLE
• An ovoid process seated atop a
narrow mandibular neck. It’s the
articulating surface of the
mandible.
• It is convex in all directions but
wider latero-medially (15 to 20
mm) than antero-posteriorly (8 to
10mm).

10. It has lateral and medial
poles:
• The medial pole is directed
more posteriorly.
• Thus, if the long axes of two
condyles are extended
medially, they meet at
approximately the basion on
the anterior limit of the
foramen magnum, forming
an angle that opens toward
the front ranging from 145
to 160

11. • The lateral pole of the
condyle is rough, bluntly
pointed, and projects only
moderately from the plane
of ramus, while the medial
pole extends sharply inward
from this plane.
• The articular surface lies on
its anterosuperior
aspect, thus facing the
posterior slope of the
articular eminence of the
temporal bone.

12. • It further continues
medially down and
around the medial pole of
the condyle to face the
entoglenoid process of
the temporal bone where
the jaw is held in an
occluded position.

13. Cranial Component
or
Articular surfaces of Temporal bone
• The articular surface of the
temporal bone is situated on
the inferior aspect of
temporal squama anterior to
tympanic plate.
• Various anatomical terms of
the joint are elaborated

14. • (a) Articular eminence:
This is the entire
transverse bony bar that
forms the anterior root of
zygoma. This articular
surface is most heavily
traveled by the condyle
and disk as they ride
forward and backward in
normal jaw function.

15. (b) Articular tubercle: This is a
small, raised, rough, bony knob
on the outer end of the articular
eminence.
It projects below the level of the
articular surface and serves to
attach the lateral collateral
ligament of the joint.
(c) Preglenoid plane: This is the
slightly hollowed, almost
horizontal, articular surface
continuing anteriorly from the
height of the articular eminence.

16. (d) Posterior articular ridge and the
postglenoid process:
The posterior part of the mandibular
fossa is an anterior margin of the
petrosquamous suture and is
elevated to form a ridge known
as the posterior articular ridge or
lip.
This ridge increases in height
laterally to form a thickened
cone-shaped prominence called
the post glenoid process
immediately anterior to the
external acoustic meatus.
E: Articular eminence; enp: entogolenoid
process; t:articular tubercle; Co: condyle;
pop: postglenoid process; lb: lateral border
of the mandibular fossa; pep: preglenoid
plane; Gf: glenoid fossa; Cp: condylar
process

17. (e) Lateral border of the
mandibular fossa: This structur
is usually raised to form a slight
crest joining the articular
tubercle, in front, with the
postglenoid process behind.
(f) Medially the fossa narrows
considerably and is bounded by
a bony wall that is the
entoglenoid process, which
passes slightly medially as the
medial glenoid plane.

18. • The roof of the mandibular
fossa, which separates it
from the middle cranial
fossa, is always thin and
translucent, even in the
heavy skull.
• This demonstrates that,
although the articular fossa
contains the posterior rim
of the disk and the condyle,
it is not a functionally
stress-bearing part of the
craniomandibular
articulation
Patnaik VVG, Bala S,Singla Rajan K: Anatomy of temporomandibular joint? A
review. J Anat Soc India 49(2):191-197, 2000

19. Articular Disc
• The articular disc is the most important
anatomic structure of the TMJ.
• It is a biconcave fibrocartilaginous
structure located between the
mandibular condyle and the temporal
bone component of the joint.
• Its functions to accommodate a
hinging action as well as the gliding
actions between the temporal and
mandibular articular bone.

20. • The articular disc is a roughly
oval, firm, fibrous plate.
1. anterior band = 2 mm in
thickness,
2. posterior band = 3 mm thick,
3. thin in the centre intermediate
band of 1 mm thickness.
More posteriorly there is a
bilaminar or retrodiscal
region.
• It is shaped like a peaked cap that divides the joint into a
larger upper compartment and a smaller lower
compartment.

21. • Hinging movements take place
in the lower compartment and
gliding movements take place
in the upper compartment.
• The superior surface of the disc - saddle-shaped
to fit into the cranial contour,
• The inferior surface - concave
to fit against the mandibular condyle.

22. • The disc is attached all around the
joint capsule except for the strong
straps that fix the disc directly to
the medial and lateral condylar
poles, which ensure that the disc
and condyle move together in
protraction and retraction.
Williams PL: Gray’s anatomy, in Skeletal System (ed 38).
ChurchillLivingstone, London, 1999, pp 578-582

23. • The anterior extension of the
disc is attached to a fibrous
capsule superiorly and
inferiorly.
• In between it gives insertion
to the lateral pterygoid
muscle where the fibrous
capsule is lacking and the
synovial membrane is
supported only by loose
areolar tissue.
Williams PL: Gray’s anatomy, in Skeletal System (ed 38).
ChurchillLivingstone, London, 1999, pp 578-582

24. • The anterior and posterior
bands have predominantly
transversal running
fibers, while the thin
intermediate zone has
anteroposteriorly oriented
fibers.
• Posteriorly, the bilaminar
region consists of two layers
of fibers separated by loose
connective tissue.

25. • The upper layer or
temporal lamina is
composed of elastin and
is attached to the
postglenoid
process, medially
extended ridge, which is
the true posterior
boundary of the joint. It
prevents slipping of the
disc while yawning.
Harms SE, Wilk RM: Magnetic resonance imaging of the temporomandibular joint.
Radiographics 7(3):521-542, 1987
• The inferior layer of the fibers or inferior lamina curve down
behind the condyle to fuse with the capsule and back of the
condylar neck at the lowest limit of the joint space. It prevents
excessive rotation of the disc over the condyle.

26. • In between the two layers, an
expansile, soft pad of blood
vessels and nerves are
sandwiched and wrapped in
elastic fibers that aid in
contracting vessels and
retracting disc in recoil of
closing movements.
Harms SE, Wilk RM: Magnetic resonance imaging of the temporomandibular joint.
Radiographics 7(3):521-542, 1987
• The volume of retrodiscal tissue must increase
instantaneously when the condyle translates
anteriorly.

27. • On sagittal MR imaging, the
disk - biconcave structure with
homogeneous low signal
intensity that is attached
posteriorly to the bilaminar
zone, which demonstrates
intermediate signal intensity.
• The anterior band lies
immediately in front of the
condyle and the junction of the
bilaminar zone, and the disk lies
at the superior part of the
condyle.
Harms SE, Wilk RM: Magnetic resonance imaging of the temporomandibular joint.
Radiographics 7(3):521-542, 1987
• The posterior band
and retrodiskal tissue
are best depicted in
the open-mouth
position.

28. Fibrous
Capsule
• Thin sleeve of tissue completely surrounding
the joint.
• Extends from the circumference of the
cranial articular surface to the neck of the
mandible.
• The outline –
 anterolaterally to the articular tubercle,
 laterally to the lateral rim of the mandibular
fossa,
 posterolaterally to the postglenoid process,
 posteriorly to the posterior articular ridge,
 medially to the medial margin of the
temporal,
 anteriorly it is attached to the preglenoid
plane
Patnaik VVG, Bala S,Singla Rajan
K: Anatomy of
temporomandibular joint? A
review. J Anat Soc India
49(2):191-197, 2000

29. The outline of attachment on the
mandibular neck -
• Laterally- the lateral condylar pole but
• Medially - dips below the medial pole.
• On the lateral part of the joint, the capsule
is a well-defined structure that
functionally limits the forward translation
of the condyle.

30. • Medially and laterally-
blends with the
condylodiscal ligaments.
• This capsule is reinforced more laterally by an
external TMJ ligament, which also limits the
distraction and the posterior movement of the
condyle.

31. • Anteriorly, the capsule has an
orifice through which the lateral
pterygoid tendon passes. This area
of relative weakness in the
capsular lining becomes a source
of possible herniation of intra-
articular tissues, and this, in part,
may allow forward displacement
of the disk.
Kreutziger KL, Mahan PE: Temporomandibular degenerative joint
disease. Part II. Diagnostic procedure and comprehensive management.
Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol 40(3):297-319, 1975

32. • The synovial membrane lining the
capsule covers all the intra-articular
surfaces except the pressure-bearing
fibrocartilage.
Toller PA: Temporomandibular capsular rearrangement. Br J Oral Surg
11(3):207-212, 1974
• There are four capsular or synovial sulci situated at the posterior
and anterior ends of the upper and lower compartments.
• These sulci change shape during translatory movements, which
requires the synovial membrane to be flexible.

33. Temporomandibular
Ligaments Complex

34. Collateral
Ligaments
• The ligament on each side of the
jaw is designed in two distinct
layers.
• The wide outer or superficial
layer is usually fan-shaped and
arises from the outer surface of the
articular tubercle and most of the
posterior part of the zygomatic
arch.
• There is often a roughened, raised
bony ridge of attachment on this
area.

35. • The ligamentous fascicles run obliquely
downward and backward to be inserted on
the back, behind, and below the mandibular
neck.
• Immediately medial to this layer, a narrow
ligamentous band arises from the crest of the
articular tubercle continuously, with
attachment of the outer portion at this site.
• This narrow inner or deep band runs
horizontally back as a flap strap to the lateral
pole of the condyle.
• An upper part of this band continues on to
attach to the back of the disk, lateral to the
condylar pole.

36. • Medial slippage of the condyle
is prevented medially by the
entoglenoid process and
laterally by the
temporomandibular ligament.
McMinn, RMH: Last’s anatomy regional and applied, in Head and Neck
and Spine. Churchill Livingstone, Edinburgh, London, 1994, p. 523
• The outer oblique band becomes taut in the protraction of
the condyle, which accompanies the opening of the
jaw, thereby limiting the inferior distraction of the condyle
in forward gliding and rotational movements, while the
inner horizontal band tightens in retraction of the head of
the mandible, thereby limiting posterior movement of the
condyle .

37. Sphenomandibular Ligament
• Arises from the angular spine
of the sphenoid and
petrotympanic fissure.
• Runs downward and outward.
• Insert on the lingula of the
mandible.

38. • The ligament is related –
1. Laterally - lateral pterygoidmuscle.
2. posteriorly - auriculotemporal nerve.
3. anteriorly - maxillary artery.
4. Inferiorly - the inferior alveolar nerve
and vessels a lobule of the parotid
gland.
5. Medially - medial pterygoid with the
chorda tympani nerve and the wall of
the pharynx with fat and the
pharyngeal veins intervening.

39. • The ligament is pierced by
the myelohyoid nerve and
vessels.
• This ligament is passive
during jaw
movements, maintaining
relatively the same degree
of tension during both
opening and closing of the
mouth.

40. Stylomandibular Ligament
• This is a specialized
dense, local concentration of
deep cervical fascia extending
from the apex and being
adjacent to the anterior aspect
of the styloid process and the
stylohyoid ligament to the
mandible’s angle and
posterior border.

41. • This ligament then extends
forward as a broad fascial
layer covering the inner
surface of the medial
pterygoid muscle.
• The anterior edge of the
ligament is thickened and
sharply defined.

42. • It is lax when the jaws are closed and slackens
noticeably when the mouth is opened because the
angle of the mandible swings up and back while
the condyle slides downward and forward.
• This ligament becomes tense only in extreme
protrusive movements. Thus, it can be considered
only as an accessory ligament of uncertain
function.

43. Lubrication of the Joint
• The synovial fluid comes from two sources: first, from
plasma by dialysis, and second, by secretion from type A
and B synoviocytes with a volume of no more than 0.05
ml.
• However, contrast radiography studies have estimated that
the upper compartment could hold approximately 1.2 ml of
fluid without undue pressure being created, while the lower
has a capacity of approximately 0.5 ml.
Toller PA: Temporomandibular capsular rearrangement. Br J Oral Surg
11(3):207-212, 1974

44. Synovial fluid……
• It is clear, straw-colored viscous fluid.
• It diffuses out from the rich cappillary network of the
synovial membrane.
Contains:
• Hyaluronic acid which is highly viscous
• May also contain some free cells mostly macrophages.
Functions:
• Lubricant for articulating surfaces.
• Carry nutrients to the avascular tissue of the joint.
• Clear the tissue debris caused by normal wear and tear of
the articulating surfaces.

45. Muscular Component
• The masticatory muscles surrounding the joint are groups
of muscles that contract and relax in harmony so that the
jaws function properly.
• When the muscles are relaxed and flexible and are not
under stress, they work in harmony with the other parts of
the TMJ complex.
• The muscles of mastication produce all the movements of
the jaw.
• These muscles begin and are fixed on the cranium
extending between the cranium and the mandible on each
side of the head to insert on the mandible.

46. Teeth and Occlusion
• The way the teeth fit together may affect the TMJ
complex.
• A stable occlusion with good tooth contact and
interdigitation provides maximum support to the muscles
and joint, while poor occlusion (bite relationship) may
cause the muscles to malfunction and ultimately cause
damage to the joint itself.
• Instability of the occlusion can increase the pressure on the
joint, causing damage and degeneration.

47. VASCULARISATION
• Branches of External Carotid Artery
– Superficial temporal artery
– Deep auricular artery
– Anterior tympanic artery
– Ascending pharyngeal artery
– Maxillary artery

48. VASCULARISATION
• The Blood supply to TMJ is only Superficial,
i.e. there is no blood supply inside the capsule
• TMJ takes its nourishment from Synovial fluid

49. Innervations
Movements of synovial joint initiated & effected by muscle coordination.
Achieved in part through sensory innervation.
Hilton’s Law:
The principle that the nerve supplying a joint also supplies both the muscles
that move the joint and the skin covering the articular insertion of those
muscles.
Therefore:
Branches of the mandibular division of the fifth cranial nerve supply
the TMJ (auriculotemporal, deep temporal, and masseteric)

50. Innervations
4 Types of nerve endings:
1. Ruffini’s corpuscles (limited to capsule)
2. Pacini’s corpuscles (limited to capsule)
3. Golgi tendon organs (confined to ligament)
4. Free nerve endings (most abundant)

51. PROPIOCEPTION
• Ruffini Endings
 Position the mandible
• Pacinion Receptors
 Accelerate movement during Reflexes
• Golgi tendon Organs
 Protection of ligaments Around TMJ
• Free Nerve Endings
 Pain receptors

52. Pacinian Corpuscle
http://www.kumc.edu/instruction/medicine/anatomy/hi
stoweb/nervous/nervous.htm
“Onion-like
encapusulated pressure
receptors
Surrounding concentric
lamellae respond to
distortion, generate
action potential in
unmyelinated fiber in
core
Bar = 100 microns

53. Ruffini’s & Golgi Corpuscle
Function:
Ruffini’s = Posture (proprioception), dynamic and static balance
Golgi tendon organ = Static mechanoreception, protection (ligament)
Free nerve endings = Pain (nociception) protection (joint)
www.anatomyatlases.org/ MicroscopicAnatomy/Section06/Section06.shtml

54. HISTOLOGY
OF
ARTICULAR SURFACE OF TMJ

55. 1. The articular zone
• Dense fibrous
connective tissue
• Poor blood supply
• Better ability to
repair
• Good adaption to sliding movement
• Shock absorber
• Less susceptible to the effect of aging
time & breakdown over time.

56. 2. The proliferative
zone
• Mainly cellular
zone
• Undifferentiated
mesenchymal cells
• Proliferation &
regeneration
throughout life

57. 3. The cartilagenous
zone
• Collagen fibers
arranged in criss -
cross pattern of
bundles
• Offers considerable resistance against
compressive & lateral forces
• But becomes thinner with age.

58. 4. The calcified zone
• Deepest zone
• Chondrocytes, cho
ndroblasts &
osteoblasts
• Active site for remodeling activity as bone
growth proceeds.

59. RELATIONS
Anteriorly - Mandibular notch
Lateral pterygoid
Masseteric nerve and
artery

60. • A careful dissection of 16
intact human cadaveric
head specimens revealed
The location of the
masseteric artery was
then determined in
relation to 3 points
process:
1) the anterior-superior
aspect of the condylar
neck = 10.3 mm;
2) the most inferior aspect of
the articular tubercle =
11.4 mm;
3) the inferior aspect of the
sigmoid notch = 3 mm.
Bashar M. Rajab, Ammar A.
Sarraf, A. Omar Abubaker,
Daniel M. Laskin Masseteric
Artery: Anatomic Location and
Relationship to the
Temporomandibular Joint Area
Journal of Oral and
Maxillofacial Surgery. 2009;67
(2) : 369–371

61. RELATIONS
Posteriorly - parotid gland
Superficial temporal vessels
Auriculotemporal nerve

62. RELATIONS
Laterally –
Skin and fascia
Parotid gland
Temporal branches of facial nerve

63. Medially - Tympanic plate (separates from ICA)
spine of sphenoid
Auriculotemporal & chorda tympani nerve
middle meningeal artery
maxillary artery

65. Superiorly –
middle cranial fossa
middle meningeal vessels

66. Inferiorly –
maxillary
artery
&
vein

67. Inferiorly –
maxillary
artery
&
vein

68. Inferiorly –
maxillary
artery
&
vein

70. Movements
• Rotational / hinge movement in first 20-
25mm of mouth opening
• Translational movement after that when the
mouth is excessively opened.

71. • Translatory movement – in the superior part of the joint as the
disc and the condyle traverse anteriorly along the inclines of
the anterior tubercle to provide an anterior and inferior
movement of the mandible.

72. Mouth closed Mouth open
 Hinge movement – the inferior portion of the joint between the
head of the condyle and the lower surface of the disc to permit
opening of the mandible.

74. 1. Depression Of Mandible
– Lateral pterygoid
– Digrastric
– Geniohyoid
– Mylohyoid

75. 2. Elevation of Mandible
 Temporalis
 Masseter
 Medial
Pterygoids

76. 3. Protrusion of Mandible
– Lateral Pterygoids
– Medial Pterygoids

77. 4. Retraction of Mandible
 Posterior fibres of Temporalis

78. Age changes of the TMJ:
• Condyle:
– Becomes more flattened
– Fibrous capsule becomes thicker.
– Osteoporosis of underlying bone.
– Thinning or absence of cartilaginous zone.
• Disk:
– Becomes thinner.
– Shows hyalinization and chondroid changes.
• Synovial fold:
– Become fibrotic with thick basement membrane.
• Blood vessels and nerves:
– Walls of blood vessels thickened.
– Nerves decrease in number

79. These age changes lead to:
 -Decrease in the synovial fluid formation
 -Impairment of motion due to decrease in the disc
and capsule extensibility
 -Decrease the resilience during mastication due to
chondroid changes into collagenous elements
 -Dysfunction in older people

80. Development

84. • At week 12 of gestation:
– temporal/ glenoid blastema
• Ossifies and becomes glenoid fossa
– condylar blastema
• Becomes the condylar cartilage
• Clefts are formed
– lower joint cavity
– upper joint cavity

85. 1. Primitive
articular disc
2. Upper cleft
3. Lower cleft
4. Temporal
blastema
5. Condylar
blastema
4
33

86. 1. Glenoid fossa
2. Upper joint cavity
3. Articular disc
4. Lower joint cavity
5. Condyle

87. CLINICAL CONSIDERATIONS

88. SURGICAL
APPROACHES
TO
TMJ

89. POST/ RETRO AURICULAR

90. ENDAURAL

91. SUBMANDIBULAR
RISDON’S APPROACH

92. POSTRAMAL /
HIND’S
INCISION

93. PREAURICULAR
DINGMAN’S INCISION

95. PREAURICULAR
DINGMAN’S INCISION
Dingman and Grabb (1962)

96. PREAURICULAR
THOMA’S ANGULATED
INCISION

97. BLAIR’S INVERVED
HOCKYSTICK INCISION
BLAIR & IVY 1936

98. BLAIR’S INVERVED
PAPOWICH MODIFICATION
PAPOWICH &
CARNE 1982

99. • For a wider exposure.
• A question mark shaped skin incision which
avoids main vessels and nerves.
• About 2 cm above the malar arch, the temporalis
fascia splits into 2 parts, which can be easily
identified by fat globules between 2 layers which
form an important landmark.
• In this, temporal facia and superficial temporal
artery are reflected with skin flap. Later helps in
better healing of the flap.
• Under no circumstances should the inferior end
of the skin incision be extended below the lobe
of the ear as it increases the risk of damage to
main trunk of facial nerve. It is particularly
important in children where it may be quite
superficial.
AL-KAYAT & BRAMLEY 1979

100. • The length of the facial nerve which is visible
to the surgeon is about 1.3 cm.

101. • In 30 patients study of
precise location of the
temporal branch of the
facial nerve in relation to
the most anterior aspect of
the bony external acoustic
canal was done by
Miloro et al
Michael Miloro, Scott Redlinger, Diane M. Pennington, Tommy Kolodge, In Situ Location of the
Temporal Branch of the Facial Nerve. Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. 2007; 65(12):2466–
2469
• mean distance from most posterior ramus of the temporal
branch of the facial nerve to the most anterior aspect of the
external acoustic canal was 2.12 cm ± 0.21 cm (range, 1.68 to
2.49 cm).

102. • Intraoral approach: It was described by Sear
(1972) for removal of hyperplastic condyles. The
incision commences at the level of upper occlusal
plane and passes downwards and forwards
between the internal and external oblique ridges of
mandible and then forwards as necessary along
mandibular body. Upper end should not be
extended beyond the level of upper molar teeth,
otherwise buccal pad of fat is encountered and
prolapses in the wound decreasing the visibility

103. Arthroscopy
Arthroscopy of the TMJ was first introduced by
Ohnishi in 1975.

104. 1. Superior posterolateral
2. Superior anterolateral
3. Inferior posterolateral
4. Inferior anterolateral
5. Endaural approach
Approaches for the arthroscopic
lysis and lavage of the TMJ

105. 1 = Superior anterolateral approach;
2 = endoaural approach;
3 = superior posterolateral approach;
C= condyle;
G= glenoid fossa.
The superior posterolateral
approach is the most common.
In this technique, the mandible
is distracted downward and
forward, producing a triangular
depression in front of the tragus.
The trocar is inserted into the roof of this depression to
outline the inferior aspect of the glenoid fossa. This provides
visualisation of the superior joint space.

106. 1 = Superior anterolateral approach;
2 = endoaural approach;
3 = superior posterolateral approach;
C= condyle;
G= glenoid fossa.
In the superior anterolateral
approach the trocar is directed
superiorly, posteriorly, and
medially, along the inferior
slope of the articular
eminence. This approach
allows visualisation
of the anterosuperior joint
compartment.

107. 1 = Superior anterolateral approach;
2 = endoaural approach;
3 = superior posterolateral approach;
C= condyle;
G= glenoid fossa.
In the inferior posterolateral
approach, the trocar is
directed against the lateral
posterior surface of the
mandibular head. This
provides visualisation of the
posterior condylar surface and
the inferoposterior synovial
pouch.

108. 1 = Superior anterolateral approach;
2 = endoaural approach;
3 = superior posterolateral approach;
C= condyle;
G= glenoid fossa.
In the inferior anterolateral
approach the trocar is inserted
at a point anterior to the lateral
pole of the condylar head
and immediately below the
articular tubercle. This
technique
allows observation of the
lower anterior synovial pouch.

109. 1 = Superior anterolateral approach;
2 = endoaural approach;
3 = superior posterolateral approach;
C= condyle;
G= glenoid fossa.
The endaural approach is initiated
by entering the posterosuperior
joint space with a trocar from a
point 1 to 1.5 cm
medial to the lateral edge of the
tragus through the anterior
wall of the external auditory
meatus. The trocar is directed
in an anterosuperior and slightly
medial direction toward
the posterior slope of the eminence.
The posterior superior
joint space and medial and lateral
paradiscal troughs can be
examined with this technique

110. LC = lateral canthus; T = tragus; A = 10mm from the middle of
the tragus and 2mm below the canthotragal line. B = 10mm
further along the canthotragal line and 10mm below it; C= 7mm
anterior from the middle of the tragus and 2mm inferior along
the canthotragal line; and D= 2–3mm in front of point A.

111. Ankylosis & Kaban’s protocol

112. • The 7-step protocol consists of
1) Aggressive excision of the fibrous and/or bony ankylotic
mass,
2) Coronoidectomy on the affected side,
3) Coronoidectomy on the contralateral side, if steps 1 and 2
do not result in a maximal incisal opening greater than 35
mm or to the point of dislocation of the unaffected TMJ,
4) Lining of the TMJ with a temporalis myofascial flap or
the native disc, if it can be salvaged,
5) Reconstruction of the ramus condyle unit with either
distraction osteogenesis or costochondral graft
6) Rigid fixation,
7) Early mobilization of the jaw.
A Protocol for Management of Temporomandibular Joint
Ankylosis in Children. Leonard B. Kaban, Carl
Bouchard, Maria J. Troulis . Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial
Surgery 2009; 67(9):1966–1978

113. • If distraction osteogenesis is used to
reconstruct the ramus condyle
unit, mobilization begins the day of the
operation. In patients who undergo
costochondral graft
econstruction, mobilization begins after 10
days of maxillomandibular fixation. Finally
(step 7), all patients receive aggressive
physiotherapy

114. Dislocation

115. Conclusion
• The temporomandibular joint (TMJ), also known
as the mandibular joint, is an ellipsoid variety of
the right and left synovial joints forming a
bicondylar articulation.
• The common features of the synovial joints
exhibited by this joint include a fibrous capsule, a
disk, synovial membrane, fluid, and tough
adjacent ligaments.

116. • Not only is the mandible a single bone but the cranium is
also mechanically a single stable component; therefore, the
correct terminology for the joint is the craniomandibular
articulation.
• The term temporomandibular joint is misleading and seems
to only refer to one side when referring to joint function.
• Magnetic resonance imaging has been shown to accurately
delineate the structures of the TMJ and is the best
technique to correlate and compare the TMJ components
such as bone, disk, fluid, capsule, and ligaments with
autopsy specimens.

117. REFERENCES - TEXTBOOK
1. Sicher and Dubrul's Oral Anatomy by E. Lloyd Dubrul
2. The Tmj Book by Andrew S. Kaplan, Jr. Williams Gray
3. B.D. Chaurassia’s human anatomy 4th edition vol. 3 The
Head & Neck.
4. Williams PL: Gray’s anatomy, in Skeletal System (ed
38). Churchill Livingstone, London, 1999, pp 578-582
5. Fonseca volume 2 by Robert D. Marciani
6. Temporomandibular Disorder, A Problem Based
Approach by Dr Robin J. M. Gray & Dr M. Diad Al –
Ani
7. Surgical Approaches To Facial Skeleton By – Edward
Ellis III & Nmichael F. Zide
8. Surgery Of TMJ 2nd ed. by David A. Keith

118. REFERENCES - ARTICLES
1. Dorland WA: Medical Dictionary. Philadelphia and London, Saunders Co., 1957
2. Williams PL: Gray’s anatomy, in Skeletal System (ed 38). Churchill
Livingstone, London, 1999, pp 578-582
3. Yale SH: Radiographic evaluation of the temporomandibular joint. J Am Dent
Assoc 79(1):102-107, 1969
4. Patnaik VVG, Bala S,Singla Rajan K: Anatomy of temporomandibular joint? A
review. J Anat Soc India 49(2):191-197, 2000
5. Harms SE, Wilk RM: Magnetic resonance imaging of the temporomandibular
joint. Radiographics 7(3):521-542, 1987
6. Tallents RH, Katzberg RW, Murphy W, et al: Magnetic resonance imaging
findings in asymptomatic volunteers and symptomatic patients with
temporomandibular disorders. J Prosthet Dent 75(5):529-533, 1996
7. Helms CA, Kaplan P: Diagnostic imaging of the temporomandibular joint:
recommendations for use of the various techniques. AJR Am J Roentgenol
154(2):319-322, 1990
8. Helms CA, Kaban LB, McNeill C, et al: Temporomandibular joint: morphology
and signal intensity characteristics of the disk at MR imaging. Radiology
172(3):817-820, 1989

119. REFERENCES - ARTICLES
9. Kreutziger KL, Mahan PE: Temporomandibular degenerative joint disease. Part
II. Diagnostic procedure and comprehensive management. Oral Surg Oral Med
Oral Pathol 40(3):297-319, 1975
10. Toller PA: Temporomandibular capsular rearrangement. Br J Oral Surg
11(3):207-212, 1974
11. McMinn, RMH: Last’s anatomy regional and applied, in Head and Neck and
Spine. Churchill Livingstone, Edinburgh, London, 1994, p. 523
12. Roberts D, Schenck J, Joseph P, et al: Temporomandibular joint: magnetic
resonance imaging. Radiology 154(3):829-830, 1985
13. Harms SE, Wilk RM, Wolford LM, et al: The temporomandibular joint: magnetic
resonance imaging using surface coils. Radiology 157(1):133- 136, 1985
14. Edelstein WA, Bottomley PA, Hart HR, et al: Signal, noise, and contrast in
nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) imaging. J Comput Assist Tomogr 7(3):391-
401, 1983
15. Westesson PL, Katzberg RW, Tallents RH, et al: Temporomandibular joint:
comparison of MR images with cryosectional anatomy. Radiology 164(1):59-
64, 1987

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