Special variations of the lateral ligament the human TMJ

Abstract

AbstractOpinions about the presence of a bandlike structure or a ligament in the lateral part of the temporomandibular joint capsule are divergent. In an attempt to find a definition for this structure, the capsules of 20 post mortem human specimens were examined both anatomically and histologically. The density of collagen tissue was investigated in detail with the aim to establish characteristics by which a structure can be classified objectively as a ligament.While there is still some uncertainty about its masticatory function, the lateral (temporomandibular) ligament influences and limits the border movements of the mandible. The macroscopic investigations showed that 70% (14) of the temporomandibular joints exhibited an obvious ligament. In the rest of the cases (6) only a thin, indistinct structure could be observed. In those with macroscopically obvious ligaments, 35.7% (5) were characterized by sharp borders forming a cord‐like structure.The histological observations did not confirm in all cases the findings of the macroscopic investigations. Only 57% of the macroscopically identified ligaments could be classified as such histologically. They were formed of thick, closely packed, parallel collagenous bundles with a regular pattern.This study confirms the variable existence of a lateral ligament in the human TMJ. © 1994 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.