Anatomy of the TMJ articular eminence before and after surgical reduction.

Abstract

AbstractIn this study we measured the dimensions of the articular eminence before and after eminectomy in order to establish a guideline for the surgical reduction of this structure. Among the 38 cadaver half-heads studied, there was a range before reduction of 89° to 16° in the angle of the anterior slope of the fossa (the posterior incline of the eminence) relative to the Frankfort horizontal plane. The depth of the fossa ranged from 3 to 15 millimeters. After reduction was completed, the change in the angle of the slope ranged from 0° to 44°, and the change in the depth of the fossa ranged from 1 to 6 millimeters.