A study of the movements of the human temporomandibular joint complex in the cadaver.

The objective of this study was to define the movements in the sagittal plane of the articular disk relative to the temporal bone and the mandibular condyle respectively, on jaw-opening in the absence of loads. Four temporomandibular joints from two human cadavers were used as materials in the study. Ten steel needles were placed in the lateral plane. Lateral photographs were taken of the articular area in different mandibular positions. OXY reference systems were adapted to the temporal and condylar points. The movements of the disk relative to the temporal bone are statistically different from those relative to the condyle. These findings are consistent with the new concept that the mandible joins the skull through two Temporomandibular Joint Complexes (TMJCs), one on each side and each one made up of a reciprocally fitting temporodiskal joint and a disko-condyle of the condylar type.