THE RELATIONSHIP OF TINNITUS TO CRANIOCERVICAL MANDIBULAR DISORDERS

Patients with craniocervical mandibular (TMD) disorders can present wi th tinnitus as a primary or secondary complaint. The embryology and fu nctional anatomy of the middle ear, temporomandibular joint, muscles o f mastication and associated tendons, ligaments, blood vessels, nerves and lymphatics was found to be helpful in establishing etiologic conc epts which relate tinnitus to these temporomandibular disorders. In ad dition to etiologic concepts, treatment modalities are described. The authors relate their experiences as well as those of others with diffe rent patient populations.