Temporomandibular ligament

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Temporomandibular ligament
Gray309-en.svg
Articulation of the mandible. Lateral aspect.
Details
System skeletal
From zygomatic process of temporal bone
To condyloid process (mandible)
Identifiers
Latin ligamentum laterale articulationis temporomandibularis, ligamentum temporomandibulare
TA98 A03.1.07.003
A03.1.07.004
TA2 1624, 1625
FMA 57071
Anatomical terminology

The temporomandibular ligament, also known as the external lateral ligament, is a ligament that connects the lower articular tubercle of the zygomatic arch to the lateral and posterior border of the neck of the mandible. It prevents posterior displacement of the mandible. It also prevents the condyloid process from being driven upward by a blow to the jaw, which would otherwise fracture the base of the skull.

Contents

Structure

The temporomandibular ligament originates from the lower articular tubercle of the zygomatic arch. [1] This usually has a rough surface for the ligament to attach to. [1] It attaches to the lateral and posterior border of the neck of the mandible. [1]

It consists of two short, narrow fasciculi, one in front of the other. It is broader above than below, and its fibers are directed obliquely downward and backward. [1]

It is covered by the parotid gland, and by the integument.

Function

The temporomandibular ligament constrains the mandible as it opens, keeping the condyloid process close to the joint. [2] It prevents posterior displacement of the mandible. It also prevents the condyloid process from being driven upward by a blow to the jaw, which would otherwise fracture the base of the skull.

Related Research Articles

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In anatomy, the atlas (C1) is the most superior (first) cervical vertebra of the spine and is located in the neck. It is named for Atlas of Greek mythology because, just as Atlas supported the globe, it supports the entire head.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Temporomandibular joint</span> Joints connecting the jawbone to the skull

In anatomy, the temporomandibular joints (TMJ) are the two joints connecting the jawbone to the skull. It is a bilateral synovial articulation between the temporal bone of the skull above and the mandible below; it is from these bones that its name is derived. This joint is unique in that it is a bilateral joint that functions as one unit. Since the TMJ is connected to the mandible, the right and left joints must function together and therefore are not independent of each other.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Maxilla</span> Upper jaw bone

The maxilla in vertebrates is the upper fixed bone of the jaw formed from the fusion of two maxillary bones. In humans, the upper jaw includes the hard palate in the front of the mouth. The two maxillary bones are fused at the intermaxillary suture, forming the anterior nasal spine. This is similar to the mandible, which is also a fusion of two mandibular bones at the mandibular symphysis. The mandible is the movable part of the jaw.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Zygomatic bone</span> Facial bone

In the human skull, the zygomatic bone, also called cheekbone or malar bone, is a paired irregular bone which articulates with the maxilla, the temporal bone, the sphenoid bone and the frontal bone. It is situated at the upper and lateral part of the face and forms the prominence of the cheek, part of the lateral wall and floor of the orbit, and parts of the temporal fossa and the infratemporal fossa. It presents a malar and a temporal surface; four processes, and four borders.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Temporal bone</span> Sides and base of skull, connecting to the jaw and occipital bone

The temporal bones are situated at the sides and base of the skull, and lateral to the temporal lobes of the cerebral cortex.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Zygomatic arch</span> Cheek bone

In anatomy, the zygomatic arch, or cheek bone, is a part of the skull formed by the zygomatic process of the temporal bone and the temporal process of the zygomatic bone, the two being united by an oblique suture ; the tendon of the temporal muscle passes medial to the arch, to gain insertion into the coronoid process of the mandible (jawbone).

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The radius or radial bone is one of the two large bones of the forearm, the other being the ulna. It extends from the lateral side of the elbow to the thumb side of the wrist and runs parallel to the ulna. The ulna is usually slightly longer than the radius, but the radius is thicker. Therefore the radius is considered to be the larger of the two. It is a long bone, prism-shaped and slightly curved longitudinally.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cervical vertebrae</span> Vertebrae of the neck

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Process (anatomy)</span> Projection or outgrowth of tissue from a larger body

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Condyloid process</span>

The condyloid process or condylar process is the process on the human and other mammalian species' mandibles that ends in a condyle, the mandibular condyle. It is thicker than the coronoid process of the mandible and consists of two portions: the condyle and the constricted portion which supports it, the neck.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Squamous part of temporal bone</span> Front and upper part of the sides of the skull base

The squamous part of temporal bone, or temporal squama, forms the front and upper part of the temporal bone, and is scale-like, thin, and translucent.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Deep cervical fascia</span>

The deep cervical fascia lies under cover of the platysma, and invests the muscles of the neck; it also forms sheaths for the carotid vessels, and for the structures situated in front of the vertebral column. Its attachment to the hyoid bone prevents the formation of a dewlap.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mandibular fossa</span> Depression in the temporal bone that articulates with the mandible

The mandibular fossa, also known as the glenoid fossa in some dental literature, is the depression in the temporal bone that articulates with the mandible.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Articular tubercle</span>

The articular tubercle is a bony eminence on the temporal bone in the skull. It is a rounded eminence of the anterior root of the posterior end of the outer surface of the squama temporalis. This tubercle forms the front boundary of the mandibular fossa, and in the fresh state is covered with cartilage.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Zygomatic process</span>

The zygomatic processes are three processes (protrusions) from other bones of the skull which each articulate with the zygomatic bone. The three processes are:

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Occipital condyles</span>

The occipital condyles are undersurface protuberances of the occipital bone in vertebrates, which function in articulation with the superior facets of the atlas vertebra.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Articular disk of the temporomandibular joint</span>

The articular disk of the temporomandibular joint is a thin, oval plate made of non-vascular fibrous connective tissue located between the mandible's condyloid process and the cranium's mandibular fossa.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pterygoid fovea</span> Concave surface on the medial side of the condyloid process of the mandible

The pterygoid fovea is located on the mandible. It is a concave surface on the medial side of the neck of the condyloid process of the mandible. It is located posterior to the mandibular notch and inferior to the mandibular condyle. The pterygoid fovea is the site of insertion for the inferior head of the lateral pterygoid muscle.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mandible</span> Lower jaw bone

In anatomy, the mandible, lower jaw or jawbone is the largest, strongest and lowest bone in the human facial skeleton. It forms the lower jaw and holds the lower teeth in place. The mandible sits beneath the maxilla. It is the only movable bone of the skull. It is connected to the temporal bones by the temporomandibular joints.

References

PD-icon.svgThis article incorporates text in the public domain from page 297 of the 20th edition of Gray's Anatomy (1918)

Saladin, Kenneth S. (2005) Human Anatomy. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill. ISBN   0-07-039080-0

  1. 1 2 3 4 Alomar, X.; Medrano, J.; Cabratosa, J.; Clavero, J. A.; Lorente, M.; Serra, I.; Monill, J. M.; Salvador, A. (2007-06-01). "Anatomy of the Temporomandibular Joint". Seminars in Ultrasound, CT and MRI. Elsevier. 28 (3): 170–183. doi:10.1053/j.sult.2007.02.002. ISSN   0887-2171. PMID   17571700 via ScienceDirect.
  2. Osborn, J. W. (1989). "The temporomandibular ligament and the articular eminence as constraints during jaw opening". Journal of Oral Rehabilitation. 16 (4): 323–333. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2842.1989.tb01348.x. ISSN   1365-2842. PMID   2795311.