GENERAL ANATOMY 2
COLLEGE OF DENTISTRY
TEMPOROMANDIBULAR JOINT
Class: Diarthrosis
Variety: Ginglymo-arthrodial
● It is a compound joint because of the presence of an articular disc or meniscus between the
articular surfaces, thus, dividing the joint cavity in turn.
ARTICULATING PARTS:
1.Glenoid or mandibular fossa
2.Articular tubercle or eminence of the temporal bone
3.Mandibular condyle
4.Meniscus or articular disc –an oval plate whose lower surface is concave to fit the convexity of
the mandibular condyle and the upper surface is concavo-convex to fit the articular tubercle and
the glenoid fossa.
5. Ligaments:
● Principal ligaments:
➔ Articular capsule- thin, loose fibrous sac enclosing the TMJ
Attachments:
1. Above- around margins of the mandibular fossa
2. Below- neck of the mandibular condyle
➔ Temporo-mandibular ligament- thickened lateral part of the articular capsule,
fan-shaped. Extends from the posterior part of the zygomatic arch articular
tubercle, downwards and backwards on the surface of the capsule to be attached
to the lateral and posterior margin of neck of the condyle.
● Accessory ligaments- stabilizes the TMJ
➔ Stylomandibular- from the styloid process to the posterior border of the ramus
of the mandible.
➔ Sphenomandibular- from spine of the sphenoid to the lingual of the mandible.
POSSIBLE MOVEMENTS AND MUSCLES RESPONSIBLE:
1. Depression- platysma, mylohyoid, anterior belly of the digastric, geniohyoid, and lateral
pterygoid.
2. Elevation- masseter, temporalis and medial pterygoid
3. Protrusion- lateral pterygoid, middle pterygoid, masseter
4. Retraction- posterior fixers of temporalis, deep fibers of masseter
BLOOD SUPPLY:
➔ Superficial temporal artery –branch of external carotid artery
NERVE SUPPLY:
➔ Auriculo-temporal nerve
➔ Masseteric branches of the mandibular nerve
Temporo-mandibular joints’ associated bones:
● Temporal bone
● Sphenoid Bone
● Maxilla
● Mandible
, GENERAL ANATOMY 2
COLLEGE OF DENTISTRY
MANDIBLE
2 Superior Processes:
● Condyloid Process
● Coronoid Process
ANTERIOR
Mental Foramen
● Mental nerves exit
● Provides sensory innervations to the chin and some mandibular teeth
Mental Nodes
● Are branches of the inferior alveolar nerve and consequently the mandibular division of the
trigeminal nerve
COLLEGE OF DENTISTRY
TEMPOROMANDIBULAR JOINT
Class: Diarthrosis
Variety: Ginglymo-arthrodial
● It is a compound joint because of the presence of an articular disc or meniscus between the
articular surfaces, thus, dividing the joint cavity in turn.
ARTICULATING PARTS:
1.Glenoid or mandibular fossa
2.Articular tubercle or eminence of the temporal bone
3.Mandibular condyle
4.Meniscus or articular disc –an oval plate whose lower surface is concave to fit the convexity of
the mandibular condyle and the upper surface is concavo-convex to fit the articular tubercle and
the glenoid fossa.
5. Ligaments:
● Principal ligaments:
➔ Articular capsule- thin, loose fibrous sac enclosing the TMJ
Attachments:
1. Above- around margins of the mandibular fossa
2. Below- neck of the mandibular condyle
➔ Temporo-mandibular ligament- thickened lateral part of the articular capsule,
fan-shaped. Extends from the posterior part of the zygomatic arch articular
tubercle, downwards and backwards on the surface of the capsule to be attached
to the lateral and posterior margin of neck of the condyle.
● Accessory ligaments- stabilizes the TMJ
➔ Stylomandibular- from the styloid process to the posterior border of the ramus
of the mandible.
➔ Sphenomandibular- from spine of the sphenoid to the lingual of the mandible.
POSSIBLE MOVEMENTS AND MUSCLES RESPONSIBLE:
1. Depression- platysma, mylohyoid, anterior belly of the digastric, geniohyoid, and lateral
pterygoid.
2. Elevation- masseter, temporalis and medial pterygoid
3. Protrusion- lateral pterygoid, middle pterygoid, masseter
4. Retraction- posterior fixers of temporalis, deep fibers of masseter
BLOOD SUPPLY:
➔ Superficial temporal artery –branch of external carotid artery
NERVE SUPPLY:
➔ Auriculo-temporal nerve
➔ Masseteric branches of the mandibular nerve
Temporo-mandibular joints’ associated bones:
● Temporal bone
● Sphenoid Bone
● Maxilla
● Mandible
, GENERAL ANATOMY 2
COLLEGE OF DENTISTRY
MANDIBLE
2 Superior Processes:
● Condyloid Process
● Coronoid Process
ANTERIOR
Mental Foramen
● Mental nerves exit
● Provides sensory innervations to the chin and some mandibular teeth
Mental Nodes
● Are branches of the inferior alveolar nerve and consequently the mandibular division of the
trigeminal nerve
