Evaluation of the slope of the articular eminence and the transverse angleof the glenoid fossa in an anatolian population

The purpose of this study was to compare a computer-aided method specially programmed for the measurement of the posterior angle of the articular emin ence with formerly used methods, to investigate the angulation differences at different depths of slices, and to evaluate correlation with the transve rse angulation. Three slices (central, medial, and lateral) at various dept hs of the glenoid fossa belonging to 64 dry skulls and two measurement meth ods were used in this study. The angulation of the articular eminence were measured and the transverse angle of each fossa calculated. No statistical difference was found between the articular eminence results of the two meth ods. According to the results, the one factor ANOVA central slice was found to be statistically steeper than the other two slices (p<0.05) (central = 60.33 +/- 10.19, medial = 58.26 +/- 8.6, lateral 58.28 +/- 10.1). No correl ation was found between the transverse angle of the inclination of the post erior slope angulation. It was concluded that the computer-aided method is more reliable and accurate and is much easier to use when compared to the m anual method. An additional important finding of this study is that the inc lination of the articular eminence should be evaluated at various depths of the temporomandibular joint.