[Morphological variations of the temporomandibular joint. Statistical studies on its anatomical features]

Data regarding the joints, skeleton and teeth, including specific measurements of condylar diameters, the height of mandibular branches and the gonial angle, were obtained from the study of 100 dry skulls from young adults of both sexes. An innovative measurement technique was required to assess the articular eminence, whereas Yale's scale and Scott's method were used to analyse condylar morphology and dental wear (attrition) respectively. The presence of elementary, uni- and bilateral joint lesions and adaptive remodelling was also assessed. Special attention was paid to the examination of possible asymmetries, which proved to be numerous, due to the supposed repercussions on mandibular arthrokinematics. The correlation between condylar alterations and the various bone and dental parameters was not significant, except in the presence of third class bone or cross bites. The sample population in question, which possessed abundant dental remains, proved to be relatively homogeneous and well distributed in terms of sex and age; it may therefore be used as a reference population for the assessment of temporomandibular morphology.