Masseteric artery: anatomic location and relationship to the temporomandibular joint area.
OBJECTIVE
This study was performed to determine the precise location of the masseteric artery in relation to the temporomandibular joint region to reduce the risk of injury during surgery.


METHODS
A careful dissection of 16 intact human cadaveric head specimens was carried out to determine the course of the masseteric artery. The location of the masseteric artery was then determined in relation to 3 points in the anterior-posterior plane between the mandibular condyle and the coronoid process: 1) the anterior-superior aspect of the condylar neck, 2) the most inferior aspect of the articular tubercle, and 3) the inferior aspect of the sigmoid notch.


RESULTS
The mean distance of the masseteric artery to the most anterior-superior aspect of the condylar neck was 10.3 mm; to the most inferior aspect of the articular tubercle, 11.4 mm; and to the most inferior aspect of the sigmoid notch, 3 mm.


CONCLUSIONS
These results show that there is considerable variability in the location of the masseteric artery. Although it is generally closest to the depth of the sigmoid notch, which can explain why this vessel can be easily damaged during intraoral vertical ramus osteotomies, in some instances it can also be close to either the neck of the condylar process or the coronoid process. The data provided in this study can serve as a guide for locating the vessel when operating in these areas.
Rajab
Bashar M
BM
Lennox Hill Hospital, New York, NY, USA.
Sarraf
Ammar A
AA
Abubaker
A Omar
AO
Laskin
Daniel M
DM
D001158:Arteries / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D002102:Cadaver; D006801:Humans; D008406:Masseter Muscle / Q000098:blood supply*; D013704:Temporomandibular Joint / Q000098:blood supply*