[Sternocleidomastoid-mandibular interaction and the rest position].
BACKGROUND
The aim of this study was to evaluate the functional role of the interaction between the sternocleidomastoid muscles and the mandibular corners (ISM) in the context of the stomatognathic apparatus.


METHODS
Registrations were effected about opening and closing movements of the mandible from the rest position with two different postures of the head. For the evaluations four volunteer subjects unaffected by functional anomalies of stomatognathic apparatus were selected.


RESULTS
The resulting graphics allowed the elaboration of a theory about the way of setting up the mandibular rest position. The interactions between the sternocleidomastoid muscles and mandibular corners might be the supports where the strengths, which work on the mandible to avoid any stresses to masticatory muscles, are spread. The knowledge of determining factors for the rest position is considered basic for both diagnosis and rehabilitation purposes.


CONCLUSIONS
Furthermore this study allows us to explain the already known relationships between the stomatognathic apparatus and cervical rachis with a new method.
Chersoni
S
S
Cattedra di Clinica Odontostomatologica, Università degli Studi, Bologna.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible / Q000502:physiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009068:Movement / Q000502:physiology; D009334:Neck Muscles / Q000502:physiology*; D012016:Reference Values; D014716:Vertical Dimension