Roberts D
Acta Anat (Basel). 1978;101(2):160-9. doi: 10.1159/000144962.
Retention of a retromandibular space has necessitated developing a system of mandibular protrusion in hominid species. It is possible that mandibular protrusion can be effected by a single muscle-the lateral pterygoid-and the motion controlled by the excentrically placed mandibular suspensory ligaments. The elasticity of the ligaments produces an integrity maintenance force between the articular condyle and eminence which is normally of minimal size. Excessive craniofacial flexion, or the retention of a juvenile configuration of the mandible, could result in increasing this integrity maintenance force and cause crepitation and clicking. Ajustment of the ligaments could reduce these pathological manifestations.
下颌后间隙的保留使得在人科动物中发展出一种下颌前突系统成为必要。下颌前突可能由单一肌肉——翼外肌实现，并且其运动由偏心放置的下颌悬韧带控制。韧带的弹性在关节髁突和关节结节之间产生一个完整性维持力，该力通常极小。过度的颅面屈曲，或者下颌骨保留幼年形态，可能导致这种完整性维持力增加，并引起摩擦音和弹响。韧带的调整可以减少这些病理表现。
