China 
Africa 
Explore chapters and articles related to this topic
Musculoskeletal system
Published in A Stewart Whitley, Jan Dodgeon, Angela Meadows, Jane Cullingworth, Ken Holmes, Marcus Jackson, Graham Hoadley, Randeep Kumar Kulshrestha, Clark’s Procedures in Diagnostic Imaging: A System-Based Approach, 2020
A Stewart Whitley, Jan Dodgeon, Angela Meadows, Jane Cullingworth, Ken Holmes, Marcus Jackson, Graham Hoadley, Randeep Kumar Kulshrestha
The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is a synovial condyloid joint formed between the head (condyle) of the mandible and the mandibular fossa of the temporal bone (Fig. 3.50). The anterior part of the mandibular fossa, with which the head of the mandible articulates when the mouth is opened, is termed the articular tubercle. The joint capsule is attached superiorly to the rim of the articular surface and inferiorly to the neck of the mandible. The capsule is strengthened laterally to form the lateral or temporomandibular ligament. Intrinsically there is an interarticular disc (meniscus) that divides the joint into the superior and inferior cavities. It is attached to the periphery of the capsule and is situated over the head of the mandible, projecting anteriorly towards the tubercle. A number of small muscles combine to produce depression, elevation, protrusion, retraction and lateral movements of the mandible. These movements are complex, and the action of opening the mouth results in the head of the mandible moving downwards and forwards. Excessive movement can result in anterior dislocation of the head of the mandible on the articular tubercle. The joint derives its blood supply from the temporal and maxillary branches of the external carotid artery.
Head and Neck
Published in Rui Diogo, Drew M. Noden, Christopher M. Smith, Julia Molnar, Julia C. Boughner, Claudia Barrocas, Joana Bruno, Understanding Human Anatomy and Pathology, 2018
Rui Diogo, Drew M. Noden, Christopher M. Smith, Julia Molnar, Julia C. Boughner, Claudia Barrocas, Joana Bruno
The mandible is made up of the mandibular body (curved anterior portion) which contains the alveolar process with the tooth sockets, mental protuberance (chin), mental foramen for passage of nerves and vessels, and inferior border; and the mandibular ramus (lateral, toothless portion) joined to the mandibular body by the mandibular angle. The mandibular ramus contains the mandibular notch separating the coronoid process (for muscle attachment) and the condylar process, which includes the mandibular neck and the mandibular head that articulates with the temporal bone through the temporomandibular joint (Plate 3.28). The chin may be unique to anatomically modern humans—although scientists continue to debate whether our close fossil relatives had chins—and it is still not clear why exactly chins evolved. The temporomandibular joint includes a superior synovial cavity, which is important because it allows the articular disc to smoothly glide onto the articular tubercle of the temporal bone (protrusion and retrusion) and an inferior synovial cavity that allows the mandibular head to perform hinge-like opening and closing motions. Osteoarthritis (a disease characterized by inflammation of the joints) of the temporomandibular joint is among the most common oral health diseases. Its risk and severity increase with age due to use and misuse including stress-related jaw clenching (which is why it’s important to relax your jaw even when studying and taking exams).
Anatomy and Embryology of the Mouth and Dentition
Published in John C Watkinson, Raymond W Clarke, Terry M Jones, Vinidh Paleri, Nicholas White, Tim Woolford, Head & Neck Surgery Plastic Surgery, 2018
The main ligament limiting lateral movement at the TMJ is the lateral ligament (temporomandibular ligament), which cannot be readily separated from the capsule. It runs downwards and backwards from the articular tubercle (a bony protrusion on the lateral surface of the articular eminence) to the lateral surface and posterior border of the neck of the mandibular condyle.19 To help resist posterior movement of the mandibular condyle, the lateral ligament is reinforced by a horizontal band of fibres running from the articular eminence to the lateral surface of the condyle. As there is little evidence of a medial ligament, medial displacement of the TMJ is likely to be prevented by the lateral ligament of the opposite side.
Findings in ancient Egyptian mummies from tomb KV64, Valley of the Kings, Luxor, with evidence of a rheumatic disease
Published in Scandinavian Journal of Rheumatology, 2023
LM Öhrström, R Seiler, S Bickel, F Rühli
On the other hand, the temporomandibular joints (TMJs) show massive osseous alterations. Both condyles have large osteophytic growth on their anterior part and flattened posterior surface. Their corticated border is eroded, underneath subcortical sclerosis and cysts (Figure 3). Corresponding osseous changes can be observed at the articular tubercle – showing resorption and marginal lipping – and the flattened mandibular fossa (Figure 2).