Perspectives On the Role of the Lateral Pterygoid Muscle and the Sphenomandibular Ligament in Temporomandibular Joint Function

Abstract

The lateral pterygoid muscle plays an important role in the movement of the mandible and has been studied from several points of view, including structural and functional anatomy. What matters clinically is the relative position of the muscle fibers attached medially to the mandibular condyle. In the following study, we observed not only the attachment of the lateral pterygoid muscle fibers to the articular disk, but also the relative position of the mandibular condyle to a base line set up on the mandibular condyle . According to our observations, the lateral pterygoid muscle fibers attach to the articular disk at the inner point of the medial pole. Based on this finding, we can say that the muscle fibers can both draw the articular disk anteriorly and balance it by supporting it posteriorly. That is to say, the lateral pterygoid muscle has two actions: to elevate the articular disk anteriorly and to support the articular disk. Furthermore, the sphenomandibular ligament has continuity with the articular disk tissue medially. This relationship suggests that the ligament fibers attached to the articular disk draw the disk posteriorly in its course of mandibular closing, thus enabling the articular disk to move smoothly.

Tinnitus and a Linked Stomatognathic System

“…In relation to the spheno-mandibular ligament, there is agree with the findings of Abe et al, 171 who found that this ligament was inferiorly fixed to the mandible and superiorly fixed to the sphenoid spine and the anterior malleolar ligament as shown by personal dissections on human temporal bone specimens ( Figure 15). Both may be tensed in a marked overclosure position, also stretching oscicular balance.…”

Morphological and histological effects on the medial pterygoid muscle after unilateral exodontia in gerbils

“…The tendons may accommodate a great number of muscular fibers insertions on a little surface (Chong and Evans, 1982), and supply the mechanical strength for muscle activity (Sato et al, 1992;Abe et al, 1997;Aimonetti et al, 2005). Thus, it is suggested that the medial anterior layer, which inserts on the edge of the angular process, through a strong tendon, supplies mechanical strength for masticatory activity.…”

Anatomical study of the human discomallear ligament using cone beam computed tomography imaging and morphological observations

“…Then the AML runs from the petrotympanic fissure to the Sphenomandibular ligament (SML) (Burch, 1970;Toledo-Filho et al, 1985;Komori et al, 1986;Sencimen et al, 2008). The attachments of the SML, AML and DML to the malleus are differ (Toledo-Filho et al, 1984; Rodríguez-Vázquez et al, 1998; Abe et al, 1997;Ramírez, 2007). However, the detailed structure of the TML between the petrotympanic fissure and the tympanic cavity is unknown.…”