Temporomandibular ligament

Temporomandibular ligament

Articulation of the mandible. Lateral aspect.
Details
Latin ligamentum laterale articulationis temporomandibularis, ligamentum temporomandibulare
From zygomatic process of temporal bone
To condyloid process (mandible)
Identifiers
Gray's p.297
Dorlands
/Elsevier
l_09/12492499
TA A03.1.07.003
FMA 57071
Anatomical terminology

The temporomandibular ligament (external lateral ligament) consists of two short, narrow fasciculi, one in front of the other, attached, above, to the lateral surface of the zygomatic arch and to the tubercle on its lower border; below, to the lateral surface and posterior border of the neck of the mandible.

It is broader above than below, and its fibers are directed obliquely downward and backward.

It is covered by the parotid gland, and by the integument.

It prevents posterior displacement of the mandible and prevents the condyloid process from being driven upward by a blow and fracturing the base of the skull.

This article incorporates text in the public domain from the 20th edition of Gray's Anatomy (1918)

References

Saladin, Kenneth S. (2005) Human Anatomy. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill. ISBN 0-07-039080-0