I2I4 A MANUAL OF ANATOMY 



gland; (2) branches to Wharton's duct; (3) buccal, to the mucous 

 membrane of the floor of the mouth ; and (4) an anterior connecting 

 branch, which passes to the lingual nerve. The anterior connecting 

 branch probably consists of both chorda tympani and Hngual fibres, 

 and it accompanies the lingual nerve to the tongue. It furnishes twigs 

 to the sublingual gland, and a small ganglion associated with these 

 twigs has been described under the name of the sublingual ganghon. 



Summary of the Inferior Maxillary Nerve — i. Cutaneous Distribution. — It 



supplies (i) a portion of the dura mater, and the mucous membrane of the 

 mastoid cells ; (2) the skin over the greater part of the temporal region ; 

 (3) the skin of the external auditory meatus, and the outer surface of the 

 membrana tympani ; (4) the skin of the tragus, and of the upper part of the 

 outer surface of the auricle ; (5) the skin over the body of the inferior maxilla, 

 including the skin of the chin and lower lip, as well as the mucous membrane 

 of the lower lip ; (6) the mucous membrane of the floor of the mouth, and 

 the lower giim ; and (7) the sides and, dorsum of the tongue over its anterior 

 two-thirds. 2. Articular Distribution. — It supplies the temporo-mandibular 

 joint. 3. Dental Distribution. — It supplies the pulps of all the lower teeth 

 of one side, and the mucous membrane of the outer surface of the lower 

 gum of one side. 4. Glandular Distribution. — It gives branches to the 

 parotid, submaxillary, and sublingual glands. 5. Muscular Distribution. — 

 It supplies (i) the muscles of mastication, namely, the masseter, temporal, 

 external pterygoid and internal pterygoid ; (2) the mylo-hyoid and anterior 

 belly of the digastric ; and (3) the tensor palati and tensor tympani. 



The Temporo-mandibular Joint. 



The temporo-mandibular (temporo-maxillary) joint belongs to 

 the class diarthrosis, and to the subdivision condylarthrosis. The 

 articular surfaces are (i) the anterior part of the glenoid fossa, in 

 front of the fissure of Glaser, and (2) the condyle of the mandible or 

 inferior maxilla. 



Ligaments. — ^These are as follows : the external lateral, capsular, 

 internal lateral, stylo-mandibular, and interarticular fibro -cartilage. 



The external lateral ligament is a short strong bundle of fibres, 

 which is attached above to the tubercle and adjacent portions of 

 the outer surface and lower border of the zygoma, and below to the 

 condylar tubercle and the outer and back part of the neck of the 

 mandible. Its fibres are directed obliquely downwards and back- 

 wards. This ligament forms the external portion of the capsular 

 ligament. 



The capsular ligament consists of scattered fibres which form 

 a thin loose investment to the joint on its anterior, internal, and 

 posterior aspects, being completed on the outer aspect by the 

 external lateral ligament. 



The internal lateral, or spheno-mandibular, ligament is a long flat 

 band, which stands off from the joint, and therefore has no direct 

 relation to it. It is somewhat triangular, being narrow above and 

 broad below. Superiorly it is attached to the spinous process of 

 the sphenoid bone, and interiorly to the lingula and the inner 

 margin of the inferior dental foramen of the mandible. Its fibres 

 are directed downwards and slightly forwards. Superiorly it is 

 covered by the external pterygoid muscle ; subsequently the first 



