The relationships between the temporomandibular joint disc and related masticatory muscles in humans.
A study of the relationships of the temporomandibular joint disc and the lateral pterygoid, temporalis, and masseter muscles during the human fetal period and in the adult was conducted. The superior head of the lateral pterygoid muscle was seen to insert into the anteromedial two thirds of the temporomandibular joint disc. The fibers of the posterior one third of the temporalis muscle and fibers of the deep bundle of the masseter muscle were attached on the anterolateral one third of the disc. The attachment of these muscles to the disc was through the anterior extension of the disc, also known as the premeniscal or prediscal lamina. The possible functional role of these muscle attachments is discussed.
Merida Velasco
J R
JR
Department of Morphological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University Complutense, Madrid, Spain.
Rodriguez Vazquez
J F
JF
Jimenez Collado
J
J
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002358:Cartilage, Articular / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000196:embryology; D005260:Female; D005333:Fetus / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008410:Masticatory Muscles / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000196:embryology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D013704:Temporomandibular Joint / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000196:embryology*