Functional Changes of the Temporomandibular Joint Mechanoreceptors Induced by a Lateral Mandibular Shift in Rats

Abstract

These results suggest that the functional lateral shift of the mandible could alter the response properties of TMJ mechanoreceptors, particularly on the nonshifted side.

Effects of a Liquid Diet on Temporomandibular Joint Mechano-receptors

“…The firing threshold in the experimental group was significantly lower than that of the control group at each recording age environment (Liu et al, 1998;Yabushita et al, 2005), but only a few studies have directly investigated the firing thresholds of the TMJ mechano-receptors (Kokai et al, 2007). It has been reported that the mechanical thresholds of PMRs in other mechano-receptors in the oral region are temporarily decreased in response to the loss of occlusal stimuli (Seki et al, 2002).…”

“…1A). For indirect stimulation of the TMJ mechanoreceptors during passive jaw movement, one end of a piece of cotton thread was fixed to the mandibular symphysis and the other to an automatic pulling machine (Yabushita et al, 2005(Yabushita et al, , 2006Kokai et al, 2007) with a ramp duration of 5.0 sec and a hold duration of 5.0 sec. The maximum jaw-opening distance was set at 5.0 mm, which is within the physiological range (Kokai et al, 2007).…”

“…It connects the cranium with the mandibular bone and plays an important role in controlling jaw movement. Some of the sensory receptors in the TMJ transmit information to the brain on the mandibular position and movement of the joint, and are considered to be proprioceptors (Kawamura and Majima, 1964;Greenfield and Wyke, 1966;Klineberg, 1980;Kokai et al, 2007). Furthermore, it has been reported that mastication can cause significant morphological changes in the condyle of the mandible (Ito et al, 1988).…”

On the Symposium: Consensus Conference Posture and Occlusion: Hypothesis of Correlation

“…Chang [58] suggested that a mandibular asymmetry causes an alteration in the position and size of glenoid fossa. Kokaia [59] in a similar experimental study founded that a mandibular lateral shift may enhance adverse effects on sensory mechanisms that are important for normal masticatory function. Dong [60] suggested that an asymmetric muscular activity may be an etiologic factor in temporomandibular joint and cervical pain.…”

Functional adaptability of temporomandibular joint mechanoreceptors after an increase in the occlusal vertical dimension in rats

“…The recording electrode was inserted into the gasserian ganglion with reference to the stereotaxic coordinates 18 previously reported for the recording of single-unit activities of TMJ mechanoreceptors. [14][15][16] Electrical stimulation of the auriculotemporal nerve evoked responses with a latency of 0.125 6 0.01 millisecond in the nucleus of the gasserian ganglion. The conduction distance from the site of stimulation to the recording electrode in the gasserian ganglion was estimated to be 5.0 mm; therefore, the mean conduction velocity recorded in the afferents was 40.5 6 3.5 m/s, which indicates that these were probably large myelinated (Ab) fibers.…”