TEMPORAL AND INFRATEMPORAL REGIONS 175 



LIGAMENTS PROPER. 



Capsula articularis. 



Lig. temporo-mandibulare. 



ACCESSORY LIGAMENTS. 



2. Lig. spheno-mandibulare. 



3. Lig. stylo-mandibulare. 



Discus ARTICULARIS. 



The articular capsule encloses the joint cavity. Above, it is 

 attached posteriorly, laterally and medially to the margin of 

 the mandibular fossa, and, anteriorly, to the anterior margin 

 of the articular tubercle. Below, it is attached to the neck of 



Tuberculum articulare 



Upper joint cavity 

 Discus articularis \ 

 Lower joint cavity 

 Capsule \ 



Mastoid process 



Styloid process 



MANDIBLE 



FIG. 64. Section through the Mandibular Joint. 



the mandible ; and between its upper and lower attachments 

 it is connected with the margins of the articular disc. 



The temporo-mandibular ligament is a strong triangular 

 band of the capsule attached, by its base, to the lateral surface 

 of the posterior part of the zygoma and to the tubercle at the 

 root of the zygoma. Its fibres run downwards and backwards 

 to the lateral margin of the neck of the mandible. 



The spheno-mandibular ligament (O.T. internal lateral] is a 

 long membranous band which extends from the spine of the 

 sphenoid to the lingula of the mandible and to the sharp 

 medial margin of the mandibular foramen. It is not in direct 

 relationship with the joint. Above, it lies medial to the 

 external pterygoid muscle and the auriculo-temporal nerve; 

 lower down, the internal maxillary vessels intervene between 



