The Posterior Segment of the Temporomandibular Joint Capsule and Its Anatomic Relationship

PurposeThe aim of this work was to clarify the arrangement of the posterior segment of the temporomandibular joint capsule and its pertinent relationships.Materials and MethodsThe temporomandibular region was dissected bilaterally in 20 adult cadavers. Natural stained latex was injected into 16 cadavers through the external carotid artery to facilitate the dissection of the arterial vessels.ResultsThe posterior segment of the joint capsule is made up of the so-called “bilaminar zone” of the articular disc. The upper internal portion of the posterior segment of the capsule was reinforced by the discomalleolar ligament. The retroarticular space was filled with loose connective tissue and the anterior branches of the anterior tympanic artery were distributed throughout the posterior segment of the joint capsule.ConclusionThe posterior segment of the temporomandibular joint capsule corresponds to the bilaminar zone of the articular disc. The structures of the retroarticular space are extracapsular.