CHAPTER VII 



THE TEMPORO-MAXILLARY JOINT— 



THE LIGAMENTUM NUCHtE AND THE REGION 



OF THE ATLAS— POLL-EVIL 



THE TEMPORO-MAXILLARY JOINT 



There are two of these joints, one between the condyle of each of 

 the vertical rami of the inferior maxillary bone, and the glenoid cavity 

 of the squamous temporal bone of the corresponding side of the skull. 



The joints are of the diarthrodial variety, and they are the only 

 joints of this kind in the skull. 



The condyle is the process of bone which is placed posteriorly at 

 the upper extremity of the vertical ramus. It is transversely elongated, 

 and articular on its upper aspect. It is slightly convex in the 

 transverse direction, and markedly so from before to behind. 



The glenoid cavity is a transversely elongated depression. In 

 front of it is the articular eminence, which is also elongated in the 

 transverse direction, whilst behind it the " nipple-like " post-glenoid 

 process projects. The anterior or inferior aspect of this latter process 

 is also articular, whilst its posterior surface is roughened for 

 ligamentous attachment. 



Interposed between the articular surfaces of the bones is the 

 fibro-cartilaginous meniscus, the inferior surface of which is moulded 

 on to the superior aspect of the condyle. The superior surface 



