Purpose: Attachments of the medial capsule of the temporomandibular jo
int (TMJ) to structures other than the medial fossa wall are thought t
o exist and to have functional significance, This study evaluated thes
e relationships. Materials and Methods: The anatomic relationships bet
ween the medial capsule and other medial structures, the sphenomandibu
lar ligament, discomalleolar ligament, and auriculotemporal nerve, wer
e examined in 14 cadaver heads. Results: The results showed that the s
phenomandibular ligament attaches separately from the medial capsule o
f the TMJ and therefore has no functional significance to the biomecha
nics of the joint. The discomalleolar ligament was found to be a conti
nuation of the retrodiscal tissues and minimally associated with the m
edial capsule, The auriculotemporal nerve was not found to be in a rel
ationship with the medial aspect of the condyle to the extent that mec
hanical irritation is possible during TMJ movement or disc displacemen
t.