The postglenoid tubercle: prevalence and growth.
OBJECTIVE
To quantify the prevalence and growth of the postglenoid tubercle in a skull sample and in children.


METHODS
a) ninety skulls ranging in age from between 2 years and adulthood, b) sixtyfour corrected lateral tomograms of left and right temporomandibular joints of 32 boys and girls. Their age range was between 9 and 11 years.


METHODS
Impressions of the temporal fossae of the skull material were taken with a silicone type impression material, using a face-bow for leveling the base of the impression parallel to the FH plane. Each impression was divided into two halves along a paramedian plane from the tip of the postglenoid tubercle through the middle of the articular eminence and the surface was photocopied to a 200% scale. Height was measured with an electronic caliper. The presence or absence of a postglenoid tubercle was established on the corrected tomograms.


RESULTS
Seventy-nine percent of the skulls had a postglenoid tubercle. It steadily enlarged and reached almost its final dimension by the age of 13 years. On corrected tomograms, 66% of the children showed a postglenoid tubercle.


CONCLUSIONS
a) the postglenoid tubercle exists in a high percentage of human temporomandibular joints b) growth is almost completed by the age of 13, and c) there exists a right-left symmetry.
Katsavrias
Elias G
EG
Department of Orthodontics, School of Dentistry, University of Athens, Greece. elkats@otenet.gr
Dibbets
J M H
JM
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000375:Aging; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003388:Cranial Fossa, Posterior / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D012886:Skull / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000254:growth & development; D013701:Temporal Bone / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000254:growth & development