Circumference of the glenoid fossa in the temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) during childhood

Abstract

We analyzed the circumference of the glenoid fossa in the temporomandibular join (TMJ) during childhood using Computed tomography (CT) data obtained from selected patients who were imaged for other diagnostic purposes over the maxilla and/or mandible. The data included 72 joints in 36 patients (18 males and 18 females) between the ages of 7 and 12 years. None of the patients had growth abnormalities, such as facial growth disturbance. CT three-dimensional (3 D) images were constructed by the volume rendering technique. Five subjects were used to analyze six parameters of the glenoid fossa: vertical dimension, antero-posterior dimension, medio-lateral dimension, location in the axial plane, and angle of the glenoid fossa. Measured values were calculated in the 3 D images where the axial, coronal and saggital aspects could be observed. Spearman's correlation coefficient was used for statistical analysis. Of these values, the medio-lateral value correlated best with the circumference. These results suggest that the entire TMJ structure develops in the medio-lateral dimension during childhood.Shika Igaku(J Osaka Odontol Soc) 2003 Dec; 66(4): 361-367.