A morphometric Study of Mandibular Fossa(Glenoid Fossa) with Articular Eminence and Identifying their Relation with Temporomandibular Joint(TMJ) Dysfunction

Aim: Present study aimedatmorphometric study of mandibular fossa (glenoid fossa) with articular eminence and identifying their relation with temporomandibular joint(TMJ)dysfunction. Methods: It was anexploratory and observational study conducted at Departments of Anatomy and Radiology, Darbhanga Medical College &Hospital, Laheriasarai, Darbhanga. Ethical approval was obtained fromInstitutional Ethical Committee. Present study was done on 65 dry skull (130 sides) of unknown sex and age and 45 CT scan (90 sides)of patients having mild to moderate pain in either temporomandibular joint, Age group of patients were 30 to 50 years (mean 39.4), and that of control group were 25 to 45 years (mean 32.5).Patients were divided into symptomatic and asymptomatic groups based on Helkimo index. Mandibular fossaand articular eminence were observed bilaterally. We reconstructed the sagittal images for TMJin axial sectionfor CT Scan measurements. Results: Our study showed statistically significant differences between the patient and control group in mandibular fossadepth (p= 0.006) and mandibular fossa width (p= 0.002) and the articular eminence height(p=0.002). There were no significant statistical differences in age between 2 groups having (p= 0.139) and between right and left side of joint (p= 0.157). Average distance between the lowest point of articular eminence and the centre of mandibular fossawas 10.18 mm. Observed shapes of mandibular fossa wereconcave in 65% and angled in 35% cases. Flattened shape was not seen in our study. The average height of mandibular fossa was 6.81 mm, width was 14.13 mm and depth were 5.16 mm. Conclusion: The present study established reference standards for Patient's with temporomandibular joint dysfunction and showed - - Steeper Inclination of articular eminence. -higher depth and width of mandibular fossa