Morphological structures and protrusive cranial border guidance of the temporomandibular joint of Cercopithecus mona.

Morphological parameters of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) of Cercopithecus mona were analyzed by sagittal medial/lateral slicing of the entire joint. The slice contours of the osseous structures of the joint surfaces were approximated by circles. In this manner, the main parameter of the protrusive cranial border guidance, the protrusive dimeric Link chain (DLC), could be measured. In each joint, all slices yielded protrusive DLCs which were nearly parallel to each other. In medial/lateral direction all parts of the joints participate in force transmission in initial protrusive cranial border function.