Maria Grazia Poerio, Michele Runci Anastasi, G. Vermiglio, A. Centofanti, P. Cascone
{"title":"The Auriculotemporal Nerve and TMJ region: anatomy and function","authors":"Maria Grazia Poerio, Michele Runci Anastasi, G. Vermiglio, A. Centofanti, P. Cascone","doi":"10.36253/ijae-14487","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"The studies on the auriculotemporal nerve in humans are limited. However, we considered crucial to investigate the topographic relation between the auriculotemporal nerve and the TMJ region that can explain some of the symptoms in TMDs. The results derived from our experience in the anatomic dissection on 16 adult cadaveric heads were compared with what literature describes from 1971 to 2023. The results confirm the existence of a particular anatomic position of the ATN within the infratemporal fossa in direct contact with the lateral pterygoid muscle and the TMJ capsular region. Therefore, there is evidence of a potential entrapment mechanism involving the ATN caused by an internal derangement of TMJ or a spastic condition of the lateral pterygoid muscle. Through a detailed anatomical description of the ATN the present study aims to offer an explanation to the main sensory and otological symptoms that patients with TMJ disorders often complaint, from facial pain and paresthesias to external ear pruritus.","PeriodicalId":14636,"journal":{"name":"Italian journal of anatomy and embryology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0000,"publicationDate":"2023-08-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Italian journal of anatomy and embryology","FirstCategoryId":"1085","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.36253/ijae-14487","RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":null,"ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q4","JCRName":"Medicine","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
The studies on the auriculotemporal nerve in humans are limited. However, we considered crucial to investigate the topographic relation between the auriculotemporal nerve and the TMJ region that can explain some of the symptoms in TMDs. The results derived from our experience in the anatomic dissection on 16 adult cadaveric heads were compared with what literature describes from 1971 to 2023. The results confirm the existence of a particular anatomic position of the ATN within the infratemporal fossa in direct contact with the lateral pterygoid muscle and the TMJ capsular region. Therefore, there is evidence of a potential entrapment mechanism involving the ATN caused by an internal derangement of TMJ or a spastic condition of the lateral pterygoid muscle. Through a detailed anatomical description of the ATN the present study aims to offer an explanation to the main sensory and otological symptoms that patients with TMJ disorders often complaint, from facial pain and paresthesias to external ear pruritus.
期刊介绍:
The Italian Journal of Anatomy and Embryology, founded in 1901 by Giulio Chiarugi, Anatomist at Florence University, is a peer-reviewed journal sponsored by the Italian Society of Anatomy and Embryology. The journal publishes original papers, invited review articles, historical article, commentaries, obituitary, and book reviews. Its main focus is to understand anatomy through an analysis of structure, function, development and evolution. Priority will be given to studies of that clearly articulate their relevance to the anatomical community. Focal areas include: experimental studies, contributions based on molecular and cell biology and on the application of modern imaging techniques; comparative functional morphology; developmental biology; functional human anatomy; methodological innovations in anatomical research; significant advances in anatomical education. Studies that are essentially descriptive anatomy are appropriate only if they communicate clearly a broader functional or evolutionary significance. All papers should be submitted in English and must be original works that are unpublished and not under consideration by another journal. An international Editorial Board and reviewers from the anatomical disciplines guarantee a rapid review of your paper within two to three weeks after submission.