Temporomandibular Joint and Lateral Pterygoid Muscle: Functional Considerations

In this study, starting from the revision of literature and traditional anatomy, the authors propose to value the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and its components through dissections of human TMJ, and to examine the anatomic function of the lateral pterygoid muscle. Twenty left human TMJ were dissected. Every block was fixed in a solution of 10% formalin and dissections were made to show every articulation component. Furthermore, thin sections were prepared for histologic examination. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the lateral pterygoid muscle as a single unit compared with the function.