TEMPEROMANDIBULAR JOINT Introduction Temporomandibular joint or craniomandibular joint is a form of articulation found only in mammals.

This is called as Temporomandibular joint because this joint is formed by the articulation of mandibular condyle at the base of the cranium with the squamous part of temporal bone. Also known as craniomandibular joint as the mandible is connected to the cranium through this joint. Temporomandibular is by far the most complex joint in the body. As it provides hinging movement in one plane (ie) forward and backward like hinge of a door it is called as ginglymoid joint. joint. "t is known as a modified ball socket type of joint as it allows movements in three planes! sagittal! transverse and coronal. "t is also known as compound joint. #ompound joint is the joint formed by these articulations of three bones. As the articular disc functionally serves as a non$ossified bone that permits the complex movements of the joints! the joint are called even as a compound joint. The physiologic activities in which the temporomandibular joint plays a part may be voluntary or reflex and ranges from mastication! deglutition and phonation! to such momentary actions such as grasping and yawning. Development of Temporomandibular Joint The mammalian craniomandibular articulation develops anterolateral to the otic capsule from the first branchial arch mesenchyme and is therefore innervated by fifth cranial nerve. This is the early embryonic joint. This primary embryonic joint is formed by the joining or is the joint between malleus and incus which develops from first branchial arch. The malleus and incus are formed by differentiation of large islands of cartilage! found in the middle ear cavity. This joint serves as the primary T%& joint up to '( weeks of prenatal life. This joint is an uniaxial hinge joint capable of no lateral motion. )y the end of *$'' weeks of gestation the secondary T%& begins to develop. At about ninth prenatal week a condensation of mesenchyme appears surrounding the upper posterior surface of rudimentary ramus. This mass chondrifies at about '+$'' weeks to form cartilaginous mandibular condyle. ,ith progressive endochondral ossification the cartilage fuses with the posterior part of the bony mandibular body. At about -$'+ weeks the muscle fibers become more owever! at the same time it also provides gliding movement which classifies it as an arthrodial joint so known as ginglymoarthodial

differentiated )loodvessels! nerves etc. can be seen clearly present in the joint region at about '+ weeks of gestation. The appearance of mandibular fossa of the temporal bone is some what earlier than that of the condyle (u) at about *$. weeks. /ssification of the fossa is more prominent at about '+$'' weeks. /ssification continuous in this region and at about 00 weeks the mandibular fossa shows both medial and lateral walls and articular eminence is evident. The shape of the fossa is concave at about the ninth week and it takes the definitive concave shape to match the convex condyle. The differentiating mesenchymal cells interposed between the condyle and mandibular fossa gives rise to the capsular and intracapsular structures of the T% joints. Articular Di c Articular disc is first seen at about seven and one half weeks. )y the '+ th week first signs of collagenous fibers within the articular disc develop and it becomes more pronounced by '0 weeks. 1rom the '-$0+ th week the disc increasingly takes on its definitive fibro cartilaginous composition. At this stage only the disc shows pattern of differential cell proliferation in which central region becomes thinner than periphery. Articular !ap ule The articular capsule first appears at about -$'' weeks. )y the '* th week the capsule is seen as fully formed tissue boundary between intracapsular and extracapsular components of the T%&. )y the '2th week the lower cavity of the fossa enlarges and the superior joint cavity becomes more evident. The shapes of the joint cavities are reciprocal at the time when the upper joint cavity is concave the lower joint cavity is convex. ,orks done by ooker ('-34 and umphrey ('-(.) shows that actual mouth opening actions are observable as early as *$. weeks of gestation. )ut certain others like 5ymons ('-30)! 6erry ('-.3)! %offet ('-3*) said that only scattered muscle fibers of lateral pterygoid muscle are clearly discernible at *$. weeks. Therefore! the prenatal jaw opening activity that both Anatom" of t#e TMJ The temperomandibular joint or craniomandibular articulation is the articulation between the lower jaw and the cranium. The bony elements of this joint are the squamous part of the temporal bone above and the mandibular condyles below. This articulation consists of two synovial joints! the left and right temporomandibular joint. T%& is complex both morphologically and functionally. An articular disc composed of dense fibrous tissue is interposed between the temporal bone and the ooker and umphery observed is said to have involved the articulations of the primary T%&.

mandible dividing the articular space into an upper and lower compartment! gliding movement occurs in upper compartment and the lower compartment functions as a hinge joint. The articulating surface of the T%& are lined by dense! avascular fibrous connective tissue. Relation of TMJ 7aterally ') 5kin! 1asciae. 0) 6arotid gland. %edially 2) Temporal branches of the 8"" nerve. Tympanic plate separates T%& from internal carotid artery! spine of the sphenoid with upper end of sphernomandibular ligament! Auriculotemporal and chorda tympani. %iddle Anteriorly 6osteriorly 5uperiorly "nferiorly )lood supply 9erve supply $UN!TIONAL ANATOM% Mandibular condyle This is convex in shape and it articulates with the articular fossa which is separated into the upper and lower compartments by the articular disc. it present as an ovoid bony knob like process on a narrow mandibular neck. The adult condyle is about '3$0+mm mediolaterally and .$'+mms anterio$posteriorly. The articular surface of the condyle faces upwards and forwards so that in side view the neck of the condyloid process seems to bend forward. The lateral pole of the condyle extends slightly beyond the ramus and is roughened for the attachment of articular disc and temporomandibular ligament. Articular disc :ach human T%& is essentially a double joint due to the presence of an intra articular disc. The articular surface are of fibrous tissue! condylar perichondrum and temporal periosteum. Technically classified as a ginglymo arthrodial joint. "t adjusts itself to the changing contours of the condyle head as it moves in the fossa. This is possible as the disc is not uniformly thick! but is modified in different regions. The underside of the disc meningel artery. 7ateral pterygoid muscles. %assetric nerve and vessels. The parotid gland separates it from external acoustinc meatus. %iddle cranial fossa %iddle meningel vessels. %axillary artery and vein 5uperficial temporal artery and maxillary artery Aurientotemporal nerve and massetered nerve. O$ T&E TMJ

is concave and fits closely over the condylar head like a cap. This ensures the rotatory movements of the condylar head in the fossa and the disc moves along with the condyle. "n sagittal section! the disc is divided into three regions according to thickness. The central area is the thinnest and is called intermediated ;one. "n a normal condyle is located "n the intermediate ;one of the disc! bordered by thicker anterior and posterior regions. 1rom anterior to posterior the disc shows five ;ones < ') Anterior extension 0) Anterior band 2) "ntermediate ;one 4) 6osterior extension 3) 6osterior band 6osteriorly the disc is bilaminar. The thickened anterior and posterior bands forms an ellipsoidal doughnut. This ellipsoidal doughnut functions to stabili;e the condylar head in the glenoid fossa with the jaws at rest. The disc is thus considered as a flexible! viscoelastic adapter which helps the moving joint surface achieve more off effective articular surface congruity. Articular' fo a This is the concavity within the temporal bone that houses the mandibular condyle. The anterior wall of the fossa is formed by articular eminence and posterior wall is formed by the tympanic plate. The fossa is lined by articular tissue. The posterior part of the fossa elevated to a ridges called the posterior articular lip. The posterior articular lip is higher and thicker at its lateral end and is known as post glenoid process. %edially the articular fossa is bounded by a bony plate that leans against the spine of sphenoid sometimes drawn and is known as the temporal spine. Articular cap ule The capsule forms a thin! fibrous connective tissue sleeve about the joint which tapers from above down to the condyle neck. "t is attached to squamous temporal bone just peripheral to the margins of the articulating surfaces. They are vertically oriented and are of such a length so as enable the normal range of joint movements. All the non articulating surface within the capsule form sunovial membrane! the surface area of which is increased by the formulation of villi and folds. The sinovial fluid is a dialysate of plasma with added! mucins and proteins. The cells it contains are mainly lymphoid or macrophage in type. The thickened anterolateral and lateral into a triangular process

portions of the capsule which is attached to the articular tubercles is called temperomandibular ligament. Li(ament of temperomandibular )oint 7igaments limit the movements of temperomandibular joint. The capsule is too delicate a structure to support the joint unaided and so joint stability is achieved with intrinsic and extrinsic ligaments. "ntrinsic ligaments (directly involved with movement of joint and attached in relation to joint). The main intrinsic ligament is the temperomandibular ligament or the lateral ligament. "t is located lateral to the capsule. The fibers of the ligament pass obliquely from its wide origin lateral to the articular tubercle to a narrow insertion in the neck of the condyle! below and behind the lateral pole of the condyle. #ollateral ligaments also act as intrinsic ligaments. These are rather narrow bands of collagen fibers that run hori;ontally backwards on the inner aspect of the capsule from the lateral and medial aspects of the articular eminence to the respective condyle poles. These restrict the distal displacement of condyle head. These collateral ligaments along with the temperomandibular ligaments! helps to attain the clinical ligamentous position. E*trin ic li(ament These are not directly involved with the joint! but they modify the range of movements that are possible. These are also known as accesory ligaments and they include $ ') 5phenomandibular ligament 0) 5tylo mandibular ligament 2) 6terygomandibular raphe 4) Temporomandibular ligament of the opposite side which acts as an extrinsic medial ligament. +p#enomandibular li(ament Attached superiorly to the spine of the sphenoid and inferiorly it is attached to the lingula of the mandibular foramen. "t is a remnant of the cephalic end of meckels cartilage. +t"lomandibular li(ament "t is attached above to the lateral surface of styloid process and below to the angle and posterior border of the ramus of the mandible. 1ibrous capsule and articular disc also serves as the ligaments of T% joint.

Muscles of mastication %asseter Ori(in a) 5uperficial layer from anterior 0=2rd of lower borer of ;ygomatic arch and adjoining ;ygomatic process of maxilla. b) %iddle layer anterior 0=2 of deep surface and posterior '=2 of lower border of ;ygomated arch Deepla"er ,ori(in1rom deep layer of ;ygomated arch Temporali ') Temporal fossa excluding ;ygomatic bone 0) Action '. :levates mandible 0. 6osterior fibers retrat the protruded mandible 2. '. elps in side to grinding movements. Lateral pter"(oid ori(in >pperhead from infra temporal surface and crest of greater wing 0. of sphenoid. 7ower head from lateral surface of In ertion 6terygoid fovea on the anterior surface of the neck of the mandible. Anterior margin of articular disc and capsule of temporomandibular joint. Temporal fascia In ertion ,ith the upper part of ramus and coronoid process In ertion %argins and deep surface of coronoid process Anterior border of ramus of mandible %iddle part of ramus In ertion 7ower part of lateral surface of the ramus of the mandible Action :levation of mandible.

lateral pterygoid plate. Actions mouth. 0.

'. ,ith the help of suprahyoid muscles helps in depressing mandible to open the elps in protruding mandible along with medial pterygoid. side brings about side to side grinding movements.

2. ,ith medial pterygoid of the same side and alternating with those of the opposite

Medial pter"(oid Ori(in '. 5uperficial head 0. ?eep head from medial surface of lateral pterygoid plate and adjoining process of palatine bone. Actions '. :levates mandible 0. elps to protrude mandible

In ertion @oughened area on the medial surface of angle and adjoining ramus of mandible! below and behind the mandibular foramen and mylohyoid groove.

2. )rings about side to side grinding movements along with lateral pterygoid. Movement of t#e mandible )oth joints always act together! but may differ "n movement which include gliding! spinroll and angulation. rotatory and translatory. translatory movements occur The basic movements that occur in T% joint are lower chamber and in upper chamber. These movements occur @otatory movements occur in the

symmetrically in both joints! when mandible is raised lowered protruded or retruded. %ovements also occur in asymmetrical manner when translation occurs on one side only to produce lateral jaw positions. 8arious movements of the T%& according to the movement of mandible are $ ') ?epression 0) :levation 2) 6rotrusion 4) @etraction 3) 7ateral chewing movemente and bonnet movement. Depre ion of mandibular openin( The opening movement is caused by gravity! relaxation muscles and a combined action of digastric the muscles. #ondyles rotate on a common hori;ontal direction on the temporal bones due to their axis of the elevator lateral pterygoid! ganiohyoid! mylohyoid and and also glide to the

forwards and downwards! on the interior surface of the articular disc which slides in same attachments mandibular heads and due to the contraction of lateral pterygoide which draw the heads and discs onto the articular tubercle. ,hen wide opening occurs the protracting force of the inferior heads of the lateral pterygoid muscles acting upon the condyles and the disc combines with the depressing and retracting force of the geniohyoid and degastric muscles acting upon the chin and action of mylohyoid muscle on the body of the mandible. These combined forces produce extensive rotatory and translatory movements.

Elevation or clo in( movement of t#e mandible #losing movement is executed by the elevators of the mandible. #ondyles glides backwards and hinges on its disc and as lateral pterygoid relaxes the disc glides back and up into the mandibular fossa. The muscles involved are the temporalis! masetter! and medial ptarygoid of both the sides. The condyles are retracted by posterior fibers of temporalis during closure. The disc is pulled backwards by the bilammiar elastic tissue. Protru ion "n protrusive movements the lower teeth are drawn forward over the upper teeth. This is primarily as a result of contraction of inferior heads of lateral pterygoid muscles although there is slight activity of the masseter and medial pterygoid muscles. The condyle is pulled forward and downward along the articular eminences while the elevators and depressors apparently stabili;e the position of the mandible related to maxilla. RETRA!TION Of T&E MANDIBLE "n this movement the obliquely aligned fibers of the middle temporalis muscle combine forces with the depressors while the remaining elevators exhibit varying amount of activity. The articular disc and condyles are pulled backwards into the mandibular fossa by the contraction of the posterior fibers of temporal is. deep fibers of the masseter and geniohyoid and digastric play a minor role. @etrusion is limited to a distance of ' mm. Lateral c#e.in( movement /ne head with its articular disc glides forwards rotating around a vertical axis immediately behind the opposite head! then slides backward rotating on the opposite direction! as the opposite head comes forward "n turn. This alternation swings mandible from side to side muscles involved are medial and lateral pterygoids of each side acting alternatively. BENNET MO/EMENT Definition < The bodily lateral movement or lateral shift of the mandible resulting from the movements of the condyles along the lateral inclines of the mandibular fossa in lateral jaw movements. )ennet angle $ The angle formed by the sagittal plane and the path of the advancing condyle during lateral mandibular movements as viewed in the hori;ontal plane. ,hen the mandible moves to one side or the other either in opening or closing the condyle on the side to which the mandible is moving rotates minimally and moves forwards downwards and laterally. 1or example the mandible moves to the

right! the left condyla moves downwards! forwards and inwards while in contact with meniscus and eminence. The right condyla is allowed only a small rotatory movement! because its lateral pole is limited by the temperomandibular ligament and cannot move backwards for more than ' mm. "t therefore moves laterally and slightly forwards and downwards due to the combined action of the left lateral and medial pterygoid and to the contacts that exists between the condyles! menisci and fossa. The force causing the movement comes from the left side and right condyles moves as it can within the limits of its ligaments. )ennet movement consists of an immediate translation which takes place before the rotation and a progressive translation which accompanies rotation.

!ONTROL O$ TMJ MO/EMENT+ The muscle which move the T%& like the muscles found anywhere "n the body are subject to both reflex controls and controls arising from within the central nervous system. There are three as follows < ') &aw jerk reflexes 0) &aw opening reflexes 2) &aw unloading reflexes. Ja. Jer0 Refle*e The jaw jerk is analogous to the knee jerk and is a stretch reflex whereby stretching the jaw closing muscles (u) usually by applying a downward tap on the chin produces a reflex contraction of these muscles. This demonstrates that there is feedback mechanism from jaw closing muscles to their own motor neurons in the central nervous system! as one rarely receives downward blows on the chin. This feedback loop comes from muscle spindles within the muscles which through their primary afferent nerves make direct connections with the motorneurones in the trigeminal motor muscles. This feedback mechanism helps with the fine control of T%& movements throughout normal function! like taking account of different consistencies of food. There is no such mechanism for the jaw opening muscles as they contact few or no muscle spindles. Ja. openin( refle* These are effected by inhibition of activity in jaw closing muscles! but do not show any activation of jaw opening muscles. This reflex can be triggered by mouth or stimulating mechanoreceptive nerves from most structures within the nociceptive nerves from the mouth or face. The pathway principal reflexes which control the vertical relationship between the mandible and maxilla and hence T%& movements. These are

for jaw opening reflex is motor nucleus. The

polysynaptic with the first synapse in either the trigeminal sensory nuclei or the adjacent reticular formation and the final one in the trigeminal chewing objects liable to produce damage. Ja. Unloadin( Refle* This reflex also involves a cessation of activity in jaw closing muscles! together with an activation of opening muscles. This reflex is evoked when a hard object which is being bitten breaks suddenly! thus unloading the jaw closing muscles of the resistance against which they were importance of these reflexes probably lies in their ability to prevent injury when biting or

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working. The result of which is that opposing teeth do not forcibly hit into one another! thereby preventing damage. The explanation for this is as follows. ,hen biting on an object which one knows or suspects might be brittle! one sends exatatory signals not only to the jaw closing motor neurons but also as a precaution to those of the jaw opening muscles. The jaw closing motor neurons also receive positive feedback from their own muscle spindles and there may be negative feedback to the jaw opener motor neurones from this same source. This is called as reciprocal inhibition. ,hen the object breaks the sudden shortening of the muscle would result in a decrease in spindle activity and hence in the overall excitatory drive to the jaw closing muscles as well as in a disinhibition of the jaw opening motor neurones. Thus the decreases and increases in activity in the jaw closing and opening muscles respectively would be produced. "n addition to the vertical jaw reflexes there are also hori;ontal jaw reflexes which involve lateral! protrusive! and may be retrusive movements of the jaw in response to stimulation of mechanoreceptors in the periodontium and oral mucosa and T%&. These may be of great significance in the function and dysfunction of the T%& as this may be superimposed upon the normal chewing pattern.

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RE$EREN!E+ '. Anatomy /f ead And 9eck $ #haurasia. 0. Applied 6hysiology /f %outh $ 7ave " ie 2. 1unctional Anatomy /f /ral Tissues $ 5haw &. . 4. The 5tructure And 1unction /f Temperomandibular &oint $ A. 5. %ackay! @. Bemm.

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