TMJ
In anatomy, the temporomandibular joints (TMJ) are the two joints connecting the jawbone to the skull. It is a bilateral synovial articulation between the temporal bone of the skull above and the mandible below; it is from these bones that its name is derived. This joint is unique in that it is a bilateral joint that functions as one unit. Since the TMJ is connected to the mandible, the right and left joints must function together and therefore are not independent of each other. Structure The main components are the joint capsule, articular disc, mandibular condyles, articular surface of the temporal bone, temporomandibular ligament, stylomandibular ligament, sphenomandibular ligament, and lateral pterygoid muscle. Capsule The articular capsule (capsular ligament) is a thin, loose envelope, attached above to the circumference of the mandibular fossa and the articular tubercle immediately in front; below, to the neck of the condyle of the mandible. Its loose attachment to ...
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Auriculotemporal
The auriculotemporal nerve is a branch of the mandibular nerve (CN V3) that runs with the superficial temporal artery and vein, and provides sensory innervation to various regions on the side of the head. Structure Origin The auriculotemporal nerve arises from the mandibular nerve (CN V3). The mandibular nerve is a branch of the trigeminal nerve (CN V), and the mandibular nerve exits the skull through the foramen ovale.Gray's Anatomy for Students, 2nd edition (2010), Drake Vogel and Mitchell, Elseview These roots encircle the middle meningeal artery (a branch of the mandibular part of the maxillary artery, which is in turn a terminal branch of the external carotid artery). The roots encompass the middle meningeal artery then converge to form a single nerve. Course The auriculotemporal nerve passes between the neck of the mandible and the sphenomandibular ligament. It gives off parotid branches and then turns superiorly, posterior to its head and moving anteriorly, gi ...
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