Anatomical Study of an Adult Human Temporomandibular Joint in Iraq

Abstract

Temporomandibular articulation is the highest feature that outlines the class of the mammalian and divorces mammals from further vertebra, it allows normal parting and departing of the jawbone and is needed for purposes such as mastication and speaking. Com ponents of this synovial joint between the condyle process of mandible and glenoid cavity of the temporal bone has been studied anatomically and histologically in 25 autopsies of adult males and female were examined at different Iraqi cities. Descriptions of TMJ related structures skin, parotid gland with its traversed facial nerve, all are related laterally the capsule of the joint, the fibrous connective tissue sac and lines with synovial membrane, containing synovial fluid, capsule is supported anteriorly by the fibers of the sphenomandibular ligaments and to the facial fibers of the masseter muscle .Also present study descri be rectangular masseter muscle with its dimensions (70±12mm) x (50 ±14) mm; contemporary no readings were recorded. In addition dimensions of the ovoid condyle process were 15 to 20 mm from side to side and 8to 10 mm from front to back Current study mentioned dimensions of the mandibular foss a which has been delimited by the attachment of joint capsule antereoposterior dimension was range from 24 – 38 mm and its lateral dimension from side to side was ranging from 19- 33mm, these differences between the condyle process and glenoid fossa inform us the free movement of the small condyle process within the fossa were it glide anteriorly furing protraction of the mandible and then its retraction. Measurements of different bones at different sex depict that the thickest trabeculae by its mean & standard deviation is founded in male in condyle process, 13.03+1.54, though the thinnest trabeculae is founded in female within the mandibular fossa of the temporal bone, 11.23 +0.90. Despite the fact for recorded algebraic data of the gaps, spaces were occupied by the tr abeculae displays that the widest gaps in dimension were seen in female mandibular fossa, 36.20 +0.71. While the narrowest spaces were seen between the trabeculae of condyle process bone of the mandible in male, 23.25+0.93. From current study anatomical features are grossly in agree with other anatomist descriptions, but dimensions of fossa and condyle are greater than other studies.