[A histological study of the meniscal insertion of the external pterygoid muscle]

The paper reports a study of the relationship between the upper head of the pterygoid muscle and the temporomandibular joint disc. Using optical microscopy, TMJ serial sections of 10 human embryos and fetuses aged from 6 to 22 weeks were examined. From the observation of serial sections, it appears that from the start of histogenesis the lateral pterygoid muscle is in contact with the condylar blastema and later with the disc and the condyle. A fibrous attachment was detected between the muscle tendon and the meniscus, and oxytalan and elastic fibres were observed near this attachment.