25 Questions
Where is the ascending limb attached to?
Anterior margin of the squamous tympanic fissure
What is the attachment site of the descending limb?
Posterior surface of head and neck of condyle
Where does the disc divide?
Behind the disc
What is the attachment site of the disc?
Capsule and the anterior margin of the squamous tympanic fissure
How does the disc divide?
Into ascending and descending limbs
Which part of the disc has some fibers of lateral pterygoid muscle attached to it?
Anterior border
What is characteristic of the looser posterior part of the disc covering?
Vascularized and covered by vascular synovial membrane
Where is the synovial membrane absent?
Over the articular areas of condyle
What is the characteristic of the dense weight-bearing region of the disc?
Synovial membrane is absent
What can be found in the articular areas of condyle, glenoid fossa, and articular eminence?
No synovial membrane
Where do the branches converge?
Into the capsule of the joint
What type of blood vessels pass into the posterior part of the articular disc?
Small arteries, arterioles, and capillaries
What is the function of the articular disc?
To cushion the joint and reduce friction
Where do the small arteries, arterioles, and capillaries pass into?
The posterior part of the articular disc
What is the purpose of the capsule of the joint?
To protect the joint from external damage
What type of cells do fibroblasts develop into with advancing age?
Chondroid cells
What is the result of fibroblasts developing into chondroid cells?
Differentiation into true chondrocytes
What is found in old age?
Small islands of hyaline cartilage
What is the sequence of cell development from fibroblasts?
Fibroblasts to chondroid cells to true chondrocytes
What is the final stage of cell development from fibroblasts?
True chondrocytes
What is the purpose of the ligaments in the temporomandibular joint?
To prevent the condyle from coming in contact with the tympanic plate behind
What is prevented by the ligaments in the temporomandibular joint?
The condyle from coming in contact with the tympanic plate
What happens if the ligaments in the temporomandibular joint fail?
The condyle comes in contact with the tympanic plate behind
Which of the following is a function of the ligaments in the temporomandibular joint?
To limit the range of movement of condyle
What is the result of the ligaments limiting the range of movement of condyle?
Decreased movement beyond the articular eminence
Study Notes
Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Structure
- Small arteries, arterioles, and capillaries pass through the posterior part of the articular disc.
Articular Disc Attachments
- The disc divides into ascending and descending limbs behind.
- The ascending limb is attached to the anterior margin of the squamous tympanic fissure.
- The descending limb is attached to the posterior surface of the head and neck of the condyle.
- Some fibers of the lateral pterygoid muscle attach to the anterior border of the disc.
Disc Covering
- The looser posterior part of the disc is vascularized and covered by a vascular synovial membrane.
- The synovial membrane is absent in:
- Articular areas of the condyle, glenoid fossa, and articular eminence
- Dense, weight-bearing regions of the disc (central and anterior parts)
Age-Related Changes
- With age, fibroblasts develop into chondroid cells, which later differentiate into true chondrocytes.
- Small islands of hyaline cartilage may be found in old age.
Ligament Function
- The ligaments limit the range of movement of the condyle, preventing it from:
- Coming into contact with the tympanic plate behind
- Passing beyond the articular eminence in front
This quiz explores the changes that occur in cartilage cells as we age, including the formation of chondroid cells and hyaline cartilage.
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