The anatomy of the articulatio temporomandibularis and masticatory muscles of the Akkaraman sheep

Abstract

The aim of the study was lo establish the morphologieal structure of temporoınandibular joint and the mastıcatory elemen!., in the Akkaraman sheep. In the study, 8 native Akkaraman sheep were used. The heads of four sheep were used to exaınine the joiiH and dıscus articularis histologieally. The other heads were used for maeroseopie examination of the masticalOry ımıscks and the joints. It was determined that the orientations of the caput mandibulae and fossa mandihularis, which forın the bone stueture of the joint were in latero-medial direction. It was observed that the joint divided in two compartments hy diseus articularis. whıch was eonnected to the eapsula articularis. Diseus artieularis was fibro-eartilaginous strııeture and elastie fibres were ,een densely and loeated preferentially in the center of the articular dise. The diseus articularis included hlood vesscl.s. The mastieaıory muscles were found to include four musdes. Museulus masseter were divided into three parts. whereas m. temporalis was single part. Both m. pterygoideus lateralis and m. pterygoideus medialis were divided into two parts. Consequently. morphologic characterization, of temporomandihular joint and masticatory musdes in the Akkaraman sheep w'ere established by the present study