The morphometric measurements of the temporomandibular joint

Abstract

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is a synovial joint classified for its surface shape and complex biaxial movements as a ginglimoartrodial joint and presents the widest joint range of movements when compared with the other joints of the human body. The complexity of TMJ morphology has driven researchers to investigate its morphometric features and their relationship with temporomandibular disorders (TMD). Therefore, the knowledge of morphological and morphometric data of each bone component of the TMJ is of paramount importance for identifying bone changes related to the TMJ, in the presence of TMD in symptomatic and non-symptomatic patients. This literature review aims to assess previous studies on the TMJ bone structures morphological and morphometric findings and discuss what these findings implicate on TMDs. The assessed studies varied in sample size and categorization, and measurement methodologies [measurements done directly on specimen, image modality-computed tomography (CT), cone beam computed tomography (CBCT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)], study method of choice and main morphometric points). Morphometric measurements of the condyle, articular fossa and articular eminence were assessed in different planes (axial, sagittal and coronal). Male patients present higher condyle and glenoid fossa morphometric measurement values than female patients, however, when considering the articular eminence's inclination/steepness the gender difference is not conclusive. When more than one image method was assessed, a slight difference has been observed between the image modalities. It can be concluded that large, paired samples and longitudinal studies using non-ionizing images are still needed to assess the TMJ morphometric values and its association with internal disorders, age, ethnicity, and gender.

Suggestion of a new standard in measuring the mandible via MRI and an overview of reference values in young women

“…The similarities between their results and our measurements confirm the accuracy of our method using MRI. Furthermore, a literature review published by de Melo et al is also consistent with our findings [ 22 ]: They published an average medio-lateral dimension of the condyle of 17.04–20 mm, while we found an average condylar width of 17.88 mm. The average antero-posterior dimension was between 5.12 and 9.6 mm, whereas we found a condylar length of 9.09 mm.…”