The anatomy of articulatio temporomandibularis and masticatory muscles in New Zealand rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus L.)

Abstract

This study was designed to determine the elements constituting articulatio temporomandibularis and the anatomy of masticatory muscles in New Zealand rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) and 10 subjects weighing between 2200-2650 g were used for this purpose. Facies articularis of the bony structures (caput mandibulae and fossa mandibularis) forming the joint were observed in the latero-medial direction. Discus articularis separating cavum articularis into two separate cavities had a very thin center and thick edges. The masticatory muscles, m. masseter and m. temporalis, were examined in three parts, and m. pterygoideus lateralis and in. pterygoideus medialis were examined in two parts. Cranial, lateral and medial parts of the art. temporomandibularis was surrounded with masticatory muscles. Caudal part of the joint was covered only with capsula articularis. In conclusion, anatomy of art. temporomandibularis and masticatory muscles were determined in detail. Our opinion is that these results will especially aid the investigators working in dentistry.