Structure-function relationships of TMJ lateral capsule-ligament complex
The human temporomandibular joint (TMJ) lateral capsule ligament (LCL) complex is debated as a fibrous capsule with distinct ligaments or ligamentous thickening, necessitating further evaluation of the complex and its role in TMJ anatomy and mechanics. This study explores the ultrastructural arrange...
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Published in | Journal of biomechanics Vol. 130; p. 110889 |
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Main Authors | , , , , , , , , , |
Format | Journal Article |
Language | English |
Published |
United States
Elsevier Ltd
01.01.2022
Elsevier Limited |
Subjects | |
Online Access | Get full text |
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Summary: | The human temporomandibular joint (TMJ) lateral capsule ligament (LCL) complex is debated as a fibrous capsule with distinct ligaments or ligamentous thickening, necessitating further evaluation of the complex and its role in TMJ anatomy and mechanics. This study explores the ultrastructural arrangement, biomechanical tensile properties, and biochemical composition of the human LCL complex including region-specific differences to explore the presence of a distinct temporomandibular ligament and sex-specific differences to inform evaluations of potential etiological mechanisms. LCL complex ultrastructural arrangement, biomechanical properties, and biochemical composition were determined using cadaveric samples. Statistical modeling assessed sex- and region-specific effects on LCL complex tissue properties. Collagen fiber coherency, collagen fiber bundle size, and elastin fiber count did not differ between sexes, but females trended higher in elastin fiber count. LCL complex water and sGAG content did not differ between sexes or regions, but collagen content was higher in the anterior region (311.0 ± 185.6 μg/mg) compared to the posterior region (221.0 ± 124.9 μg/mg) (p = 0.045) across sexes and in males (339.6 ± 170.6 μg/mg) compared to females (204.5 ± 130.7 μg/mg) (p = 0.006) across regions. Anterior failure stress (1.1 ± 0.7 MPa) was larger than posterior failure stress (0.6 ± 0.4 MPa) (p = 0.024). Regional differences confirm the presence of a mechanically and compositionally distinct temporomandibular ligament. Baseline sex-specific differences are critical for etiological investigations of sex disparities in TMJ disorders. These results have important biomechanical and clinical ramifications, providing critical baseline tissue material properties, informing the development of TMJ musculoskeletal models, and identifying new areas for etiologic investigations for temporomandibular disorders. |
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Bibliography: | ObjectType-Article-1 SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1 ObjectType-Feature-2 content type line 23 These authors contributed equally to this work Current affiliation: Department of Anthropology, Pennsylvania State University, State College, PA |
ISSN: | 0021-9290 1873-2380 |
DOI: | 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2021.110889 |