KINEMATIC ANALYSIS OF THE HUMAN TEMPOROMANDIBULAR-JOINT

A kinematic analysis of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is developed to determine the range of motion of the mandible during normal openin g and during special motions required for arthroscopic surgery. The tr anslation of the mandible is restricted by the constraint of the ligam ents. By accounting for the maximum allowable stretch of a ligament, l imits of translation are determined for any normal opening angle of th e mandible. The present analysis provides information useful in securi ng the maximum available space for the protrusion of arthroscopic inst ruments during TMJ surgery.