employee
Ekaterinburg, Ekaterinburg, Russian Federation
Modern publications on the ultrasound anatomy of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) contain contradictory data as to the assessment of the intra-articular disk, the morphological characteristics of the joint structures imaging. The article describes the ultrasound visualization of the temporomandibular joint in health on the basis of longitudinal and transverse methods of research. The prospective study involved 12 patients (3 men, 9 women; average age – 25,4±2,7 years). Clinical and ultrasound examination of the TMJ on the Visor 11 HD machine (Philips, USA) was conducted. Using longitudinal and transverse methods of scanning provides good visualization of the soft tissue structures of the TMJ. The capsule is de ned as an unceasing, homogeneous hypoechoic linear structure of 0,4±0,05 mm. the Width of the capsule-cervical space amounted to an the average of 1,1±0,05 mm. The joint space is clearly seen as a hypoechoic space above the surface of the lower jaw head. The disk, the bilaminar area of the TMJ on the echogram are not visualized clearly, and therefore the estimation of their sizes, shapes, and structures is dif cult. The lateral pterygoid muscle is determined on the echogram as a soft-tissue hypoechoic structure with a longitudinal direction of the muscle bers. The head of the mandible is traced in a limited area, has a semi-oval shape and a sharp, even contour. The obtained characteristics of the descriptive and morphometric diagnostics of TMJ structures are compared with the previously published data.
temporomandibular joint, capsule, disc, ultrasound diagnosis, normal
