Anatomical and radiological evaluation of articulatio temporomandibularis in healthy individuals with and without articulatio temporomandibularis dysfunction

The articulatio temporomandibularis (temporomandibular joint, TMJ) is one of the most important joints in the human body, playing a crucial role in essential functions such as speech, swallowing, mastication and respiration. Dysfunction of this joint may lead to pain, joint noises, restricted mandibular movements, and masticatory muscle discomfort, negatively affecting the quality of life. TMJ morphology is influenced by age, sex, and craniofacial structural variations, which are critical factors for accurate diagnosis and treatment. In this study, Cone-Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) images of 72 individuals aged 18–69 years, who applied to the Department of Oral, Dental, and Maxillofacial Radiology at Çukurova University Faculty of Dentistry between 2010 and 2023, were retrospectively analyzed. The possible relationships between temporomandibular dysfunction (TMD) and morphometric features of the palatum durum, choanae nasi, and foramina cranii were investigated. Additionally, morphometric measurements of the musculi masticatorii were performed, and their association with TMD was evaluated. The study revealed that structures directly or indirectly affecting the TMJ exhibit significant morphometric variations. In TMD patients, statistically significant correlations were found between age and the thicknesses of the musculus masseter (MM), musculus temporalis (MT), and musculus pterygoideus medialis (MPM) (p<0.05). Moreover, in TMD individuals, sex-related differences in the transverse width of the palatum durum (PDTW) were statistically significant (p<0.05). In healthy subjects, sex-related correlations were observed for MPM on both sides and PDTW measurements (p<0.05). Comparing TMD patients with healthy controls, significant differences were observed in foramen rotundum widths (FRW) (p<0.05). In conclusion, significant relationships exist between TMD and morphometric characteristics of craniofacial structures. These findings contribute to understanding the anatomical basis of TMD and may serve as a reference for future diagnostic and therapeutic studies. However, limitations such as a small sample size, unequal sex distribution, and the study population being limited to the Adana region restrict the generalizability of the results. Further studies with larger and more diverse populations are warranted to confirm these findings.