A Study Of Distribution Of Nerve Around The Temporomandibular Joint

[Objective]Using cadaver dissection to study the position of the auriculotemporal nerve and the masseteric nerve in relation to the temporo -mandibular joint. Using immunohistochemical method to study the distribution of nerve fibre in the disc attachment and the medial portion, lateral portion, anterior portion, posterior portion of the joint capsule and the center of the disc.[Methods] 4 adult male cadaveric (8 sides) were dissected to study the position of the auriculotemporal nerve and masseteric nerve in relation to the mandibular condyle and the medial portion, lateral portion, anterior portion, posterior portion of the joint capsule and the anterior portion of the external auditory meatus. Using immunohistochemical method to observe the distribution of calcitonin gene-related peptide-like immunoreactive(CGRP-LI)nerve fibres in the disc attachment and the medial portion, lateral portion, anterior portion, posterior portion of the joint capsule and the center of the disc of the 6 adult male fresh skulls(12 sides) temporomandibular joints.[Result] All the auriculotemporal nerve trunk has a direct connection with condyle neck and the temporomandibular joint capsular by some region.The longest part of the trunk is 14.6mm,the shortest is 5.6mm. There are the maximum branches in the medial portion of the joint capsule, average to 3.5 branches, while no branches in the anterior portion.The branches of the masseteric nerve concentrate to the the anterior portion of the joint capsule. Calcitonin generelated peptide-like immunoreactive (CGRP-LI) nerve fibres were plentifully distributed in the temporomandibular joint except the centraldisc band,rnainly in the periphery of blood vessels, especially arteries. Density: anterior disc attachment and capsule ( 448.7+78.5 ) mm2; posterior portion (426.7+55.9) mm2; medial portion (205.2+39.9) mm:; lateral portion (295.0+36.6) mm .[Conclusion] There is the possibility in theory that may be causally related to compression or irritation of the nerve, producing pain in the temporomandibular joint region. CGRP-LI nerve fibres were widely distributed in the temporomandibular joint and were a part of trigcminal sensor)' nerve.