Discomallear and malleomandibular ligaments: anatomical study and clinical applications

Abstract

Phylogenesis, ontogenesis and anatomy show the existence of two discomallear and malleomandibular ligaments, arising from the first branchial arch and uniting the middle ear with the temporomandibular joint and to the mandible. The intra-articular discomallear ligament is the involuted tendon of the lateral pterygoid muscle on the primitive quadrato-articular joint. The malleomandibular ligament is the fibrous remnant of Meckel's cartilage. In the physiology of the temporomandibular joint, the discomallear ligament alone limits the anterior movement of the disc. Its stretching accompanies disco-condylar disunity, hyperlaxity and temporomandibular dislocation. The malleomandibular ligament, wrongly limited to its sphenomandibular part in classic anatomy, has no physiological role. However, it can be responsible for the dislocation of the ear ossicle chain after disarticulation or temporomandibular trauma. These two ligaments do not play any role in otological manifestations in dysfunction of the manducatory apparatus.

Terminologia Anatomica after 17 years: Inconsistencies, mistakes and new proposals

“…Several small attempts to draw attention to the problem have resulted in publications on inaccuracies in NA and TA but unfortunately no author reviewed it as a whole (Ajayi et al, 2013;Bartoska et al, 2013;Benninger, 2013;Benninger and Delamarter, 2013;Cheynet et al, 2003;Davidge et al, 2010;Ercoli et al, 2005;Ferreira et al, 2011;Grodinsky and Holyoke, 1938;Guidera et al, 2012;Hromada and Voboril, 1968;Isik et al, 2014;Kachlik et al, 2008bKachlik et al, , 2010aKodama et al, 1987;Krmpotić-Nemanić and Vinter, 2003b;Krmpotić-Nemanić et al, 2003;Lengelé and Scalliet, 2009;Lobo and Menezes, 2011;Loukas et al, 2007;Matusz, 2010Matusz, , 2011Mirilas and Skandalakis, 2002;O'Brien et al, 2013;Paraskevas, 2011;Pauza et al, 1997;Ribas, 2010;Rodríguez-Hernández et al, 2011;Rohrich et al, 2008;Saleh et al, 2012;Schurter and Letterman, 1976;Shokrollahi et al, 2014;Skandalakis et al, 2006;Starmühler, 2011;Tran-Dinh, 1987;Vavilov and Kosourov, 2004;Voboril, 1985;Vojniković et al, 2013;Wende...…”

Anatomical study of the human discomallear ligament using cone beam computed tomography imaging and morphological observations

“…TMJ disorder was caused the specific morphology of the TMJ disc connected with the discomallear ligament (DML) and the anterior malleus ligament (AML) (Ioannides and Hoogland, 1983;Loughner et al, 1989; Ogutcen-Toller and Juniper, 1993; Cheynet et al, 2003). Previous reports have shown that the attachment of the DML becomes narrower toward the malleus.…”

Tinnitus and a Linked Stomatognathic System

“…149 These ligamental structures may be stretched by a TMJ disorder, which could affect middle ear oscicular equilibrium; although, there is controversy about their ability to disturb the oscicular chain. 150,151,152,153 The spread of forces through cranial bone sutures was treated by Libin in 1987 and suggested that ligaments common to neighbouring structures could become tensioned during normal physiological mobilization and in abnormal temporal bone trauma. 154 Retrodiscal tissue elasticity can normally act as an energy buffer in spreading movement from the TMJ to the middle ear by such common ligaments; however, TMJ disc luxation or oedematous pressure from an inflammatory disorder could certainly cause tension on the malleus through Huguier's canal.…”