The human mandibular intercondylar angle measured by computed tomography

In axial computed tomography it is possible to measure the intercondylar an gle at the intersection of the longitudinal axes of the condyles. Published values range from 131 to 165 degrees. This angle was determined here in tw o groups of patients with (n = 22) and without (n = 12) temporomandibular j oint dysfunction. A third group of children (n = 12) aged 4-9 years was inc luded to investigate any age-related change in the angle. In the group of h ealthy individuals, a range of 105 to 165 degrees was found, with a mean in tercondylar angle of 139 degrees. In the group with temporomandibular joint dysfunction the mean angle was 143 degrees with a range from 85 to 170 deg rees. No statistically significant relation could be shown between intercon dylar angle and joint dysfunction. In the group of children the mean angle was 138 degrees with values ranging from 90 to 180 degrees. No significant differences could be demonstrated among the groups. The absolute value of t he intercondylar angle seems to be independent of factors such as sex, age and functional disorders of the joint. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All r ights reserved.