title: Gross anatomy of the craniomandibular joint and masticatory muscles of the dog.
abstract: The craniomandibular joint (CMJ) and masticatory muscles in 15 dogs (Canis familiaris) were dissected. The major structures were fossa, disc and condyle surrounded by a thin fibrous capsule. The horizontally orientated temporal fossa had a pronounced tubercle anteriorly. Posteriorly, a retroarticular process curved backwards. This fossa and process closely surrounded the condyle. The disc was thin. The cylindrically-shaped condyle was elongated in the medio-lateral direction, situated at right angles to the sagittal plane. The lateral pterygoid muscle was poorly developed; the temporalis was by far the largest masticatory muscle. These findings support the assumption that the movements of the canine mandible are mainly hinge-like. Furthermore, the canine CMJ differs in many respects from the corresponding anatomical structures in the domestic pig, as well as in man.
authors.affiliation: Department of Stomatognathic Physiology, Faculty of Odontology, University of Göteborg, Sweden.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ström
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Holm
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Clemensson
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Haraldson
authors.forename: G E
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Carlsson
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004285:Dogs / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D008334:Mandible / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D008410:Masticatory Muscles / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D013704:Temporomandibular Joint / Q000033:anatomy & histology*