THE MEDIAL CAPSULE OF THE HUMAN TEMPOROMANDIBULAR-JOINT

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.