Sphenomandibular ligament
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Ligament: Sphenomandibular ligament | ||
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Articulation of the mandible. Medial aspect. (Spheno-mandibular lig. labeled vertically at center.) | ||
Latin | ligamentum sphenomandibulare | |
Gray's | subject #75 297 | |
From | spine of sphenoid bone | |
To | mandibular foramen | |
Dorlands/Elsevier | l_09/12493077 |
The sphenomandibular ligament (internal lateral ligament) is a flat, thin band which is attached above to the spina angularis of the sphenoid bone, and, becoming broader as it descends, is fixed to the lingula of the mandibular foramen. The function of the Sphenomandibular Ligament is to limit distension of the mandible in an inferior direction.
Its lateral surface is in relation, above, with the Pterygoideus externus; lower down, it is separated from the neck of the condyle by the internal maxillary vessels; still lower, the inferior alveolar vessels and nerve and a lobule of the parotid gland lie between it and the ramus of the mandible.
Its medial surface is in relation with the Pterygoideus internus.
[edit] External links
- SIG at UWash Sphenomandibular%20ligament
- Roche Lexicon - illustrated navigator, at Elsevier 25420.000-1
atlanto-axial: anterior atlantoaxial ligament - posterior atlantoaxial ligament - cruciform ligament of atlas (transverse ligament of the atlas)
atlanto-occipital: anterior atlantoöccipital membrane - posterior atlantoöccipital membrane - tectorial membrane - alar ligament - ligament of apex dentis
temporomandibular: capsule - temporomandibular ligament - sphenomandibular ligament - stylomandibular ligament - articular disk