title: [Magnetic resonance imaging assessment of the lateral pterygoid muscle in Class III malocclusion subjects].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To analyze the relationship between Class III malocclusion and pathological changes in temporomandibular joint (TMJ) structures using magnetic resenonce imaging (MRI).
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-four Class III malocclusion adult patients and 10 normal control cases were included in the study. The characteristics of lateral pertygoid muscle (LPM) in the sample group and the control group were assessed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  More pathological changes of LPM were found in Class III malocclusion adult patients (36 TMJ). The changes included hypertrophy, atrophy and contracture. And there was no relation between the pathological changes of LPM and the symptom of temporomandibular disorders (TMD).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The frequency of pathological changes of LPM was greater in patients with Class III malocclusion than in the control group.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Sugery, Capital Medical University School of Stomatology, Beijing 100006, China.
authors.forename: Yue-hua
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Xiao-jiang
authors.initials: XJ
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Xiao-hui
authors.initials: XH
authors.lastname: Gao
authors.forename: Yuan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Li
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001284:Atrophy / Q000473:pathology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003286:Contracture / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008313:Malocclusion, Angle Class III / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology*; D011626:Pterygoid Muscles / Q000473:pathology*; D013704:Temporomandibular Joint / Q000473:pathology; D013705:Temporomandibular Joint Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology; D055815:Young Adult