Ontogeny of relationship of middle ear and temporomandibular (squamomandibular) joint in mammals. III. Morphology and ontogeny in scandentia and primates.

The ontogeny of the mandibular joint and the middle ear region was studied in Tupaia javanica, Microcebus murinus, Nycticebus coucang and Tarsius bancanus. During development, a passage connection was found between the mandibular condyle and Meckel's cartilage that is produced by the primordium of the lateral pterygoid muscle. The articular disk is formed separately, and it appears later in development. A theory is presented on the interpretation of these findings.