Temporomandibular joint - structure, movements
From WikiLectures
The temporomandibular joint connects the skull and the mandible together. This joint allows for important movements to be made by the jaw.
Overview[edit | edit source]
- The upper part of the joint allows the head of the mandible to protrude onto the articular tubercle and retract back into the mandibular fossa
- It is a condyloid synovial joint
- The joint allows the jaw to open to more than 15°
Ligaments: sphenomandibular, stylomandibular and lateral ligaments
Movements[edit | edit source]
- Depression by digastric, geniohyoid and mylohyoid muscles
- Elevation by temporalis, masseter and medial pterygoid muscles
- Protrusion by lateral and medial pterygoid muscles
- Retraction by temporalis, masseter, digastric and geniohyoid muscles
Links[edit | edit source]
Bibliography[edit | edit source]
SNELL, Richard S. Clinical Anatomy by Regions. 8th Edition edition. 2004. ISBN 978-0-7817-6404-9.
