Journal of Dental Research, Vol 72, 62-66, Copyright © 1993 by International & American Associations for Dental Research Online Journals
Relationships between the temporomandibular joint and the middle ear in human fetuses
J. F. Rodriguez Vazquez, J. R. Merida Velasco and J. Jimenez Collado
Departamento de Ciencias Morfologicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain.
A study was conducted, on 30 human fetuses, of the structures passing
through the tympanosquamosal fissure. The tympanosquamosal fissure lies
between the middle ear and the temporomandibular region. Meckel's cartilage
passes through the tympanosquamosal fissure and continues on into the
middle ear with the cartilaginous anlage of the malleus. A tract of fibrous
tissue arises from the mesenchyme, located cranial and lateral to Meckel's
cartilage, that enters from the posterior area of the temporomandibular
joint disc to the middle ear through the tympanosquamosal fissure, and
attaches onto the area of continuity of Meckel's cartilage with the
malleus. Transformation of Meckel's cartilage into the sphenomandibular
ligament and anterior ligament of the malleus determines their continuity
through the tympanosquamosal fissure. The posterior fibers of the
temporomandibular joint disc giving rise to the discomalleolar ligament
insert into the anterior ligament of the malleus.
