322 
A. LIAUTARD. 
cavity. The maxillary eminence, transversally extended behind the 
glenoid cavity, limitates the action of the joint in that direction. The 
condyle of the maxillary is convex in both axis ; the transversal di¬ 
ameter is about the double of the antero-posterior. 
As for the meniscus, it is narrower than the articular surface of the 
temporal. It presents peculiarities of form in relation to the bony sur¬ 
faces with which it is in contact. Its superior face is slightly convex 
forward and concave behind ; the inferior is concave only. Its thick¬ 
ness is much greater on the borders than on its centre ; its fibro carti¬ 
laginous structure gives it a sufficient resistance against the pressure of 
the two articular surfaces, at the same time leaving it a certain flexibil¬ 
ity, which in the transversal direction is put into play in some motions 
of the jaws, during which the form of the superior surface changes 
slightly to apply itself alternately upon the condyle or in the glenoid 
cavity of the temporal. There are in that articulation two synovial 
bursae separated from each other by the inter articular meniscus. The 
inferior synovial has the important peculiarity of enveloping all round 
the condyle of the maxillary, and to be attached at about one centimeter 
and a half below the articular surface. 
The connexions of the temporo maxillary joint must be well under¬ 
stood ; it is covered in all its posterior face by the parotid gland. In¬ 
side the condyle extends as far as the membrane of the guttural pouch; 
forward the masseter muscle touches the peripheric ligament. 
Important blood vessels pass at close proximity of that joint. We 
find behind the external carotid and its two terminal branches; below the 
articulation, and in a somewhat superficial position, allowing to feel its 
pulsations, is the subzygomatic artery. One of the branches given by 
this last artery, the masseterine, passes forward of the neck of the con¬ 
dyle and communicates with the posterior deep temporal by a branch 
which runs into the sigmoid notch, very near the masseterine nerve; the 
other, the transversal of the face, remains superficial and is situated be¬ 
tween the vein satellite and the facial nerve, which is inferior to it. 
The motions of the articulation are very numerous ; the opening 
and closing of the jaws present nothing peculiar. In the propulsory 
movement, the two condyles come on the same level. In the retro- 
pulsion, on the contrary, the condyle comes to adapt itself in the glenoid 
cavity. This motion is limited by the mamillar eminence. In the case 
of diduction, as during mastication, the relative position of the condyles 
of the maxillary, as that of the menisci, which are carried with them, is 
different for each articulation, according the direction of the mastication. 
