Transcranial radiographic and tomographic analysis of the lateral and midpoint inclined planes of the articular eminence.
A radiologic study of the articular eminence was performed on 10 skulls by means of tomograms and transcranial radiographs. Angulation of the articular eminence at the lateral and midpoint inclined planes was measured from the radiographs and compared with direct anatomic measurements. With both radiographic methods, the results showed no significant difference between left and right side measurements. The mean angulation of the midpoint inclined plane was significantly greater than that of the lateral inclined plane with both techniques. With transcranial radiographs, the angulation values were the same as the direct anatomic measurements despite a 25-degree change in skull orientation required for the radiographic method. In the tomographic study, all measurements corresponded with the anatomic and transcranial measurements except that angulation of the lateral inclined plane differed slightly from the direct anatomic measurement. The results show that both tomography and transcranial radiography are adequate for visualization of the midpoint region. However, tomography is preferable for viewing the lateral aspect of the articular eminence.
Ichikawa
W
W
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Medical College of Virginia, Richmond.
Laskin
D M
DM
Rosenberg
H M
HM
D002508:Cephalometry; D005145:Face / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D005147:Facial Bones / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D006801:Humans; D011861:Radiography, Dental / Q000379:methods*; D012886:Skull / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D013704:Temporomandibular Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014056:Tomography, X-Ray / Q000379:methods*