Articular Capsule of Temporomandibular Joint
Capsula articularis articulationis temporomandibularis
Read moreStructure
An articular capsule surrounds the entire temporomandibular joint. The fibers of the inferior portion of the capsule are tight and connect the condyle of the mandible to the articular disc. The upper portion of the capsule is looser, these fibers attach the articular disc to the temporal bone. Laterally the joint capsule is strengthened by the lateral ligament of the temporomandibular joint.
Related parts of the anatomy
Function
The articular capsule of the temporomandibular joint ensures that the joint is sealed, thus, keeping the lubricating synovial fluid within the joint. It provides passive stability to the joint by limiting the joint movement. Additionally, it provides active stability by containing numerous proprioceptive nerve endings which relay mechanical information back to the central nervous system (Ralphs & Benjamin, 1994).
References
Ralphs, J. R. & Benjamin, M. (1994) The joint capsule: structure, composition, ageing and disease. Journal of Anatomy, 184(Pt 3), 503-509.
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Temporomandibular Joint
The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is a bilateral synovial joint between the skull and the mandible comprising the glenoid fossa of the temporal bone, the condylar head of the mandible, and the articular cartilage and disc.
