Sphenomandibular ligament

The sphenomandibular ligament (internal lateral ligament)[1] is one of the three ligaments of the temporomandibular joint. It is situated medially to - and generally separate from - the articular capsule of the joint.[2]: 671  Superiorly, it is attached to the spine of the sphenoid bone; inferiorly, it is attached to the lingula of mandible.[1][2]: 671  The SML acts to limit inferior-ward movement of the mandible.[1]

Sphenomandibular ligament
Articulation of the mandible. Medial aspect. (Spheno-mandibular lig. labeled vertically at center.)
Details
Fromspine of sphenoid bone
Tomandibular foramen
Identifiers
Latinligamentum sphenomandibulare
TA98A03.1.07.007
TA21568
FMA57077
Anatomical terminology

The SML is derived from Meckel's cartilage.

Anatomy

The SML is a flat, thin band.[1][2]: 671  It widens/broadens inferiorly[1][2]: 671 before as it reaches its inferior attachment, measuring about 12 mm in width on average at the point of its inferior attachment.[2]: 671 

Attachments

Superiorly, the SML is attached to the spine of the sphenoid bone (spina angularis.[1][2]: 671 

Inferiorly, it is attached at to lingula of mandible (which occurs just proximally to the mandibular foramen).[1][2]: 671 

Anatomical relations

The lateral pterygoid muscle, auriculotemporal nerve, and the maxillary artery and maxillary vein are situated laterally to the SML (the vessels and nerve coursing betwixt the SML, and the neck of the mandibular condyle).[2]: 671 

The chorda tympani nerve is situated medially to the SML[2]: 671  near its upper end.

The medial pterygoid muscle is situated inferolaterally to the SML.[2]: 671 

The inferior alveolar nerve, artery and vein, and a parotid lobule are situated anteroinferiorly to the SML (all being interposed between the SML and the ramus of mandible).[2]: 671 

Between the SML and the pharynx are situated adipose tissue, and a pharyngeal vein.[2]: 671 

Function

The function of the sphenomandibular ligament is to limit distension of the mandible in an inferior direction. It is slack when the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is in closed position; it is taut when the condyle of the mandible is situated anterior to the temporomandibular ligament.[1] The SML has about 5 mm of slack when the jaw is closed; it becomes taut when the jaw is open rougly half-way.[2]: 671 

References
  1. Berkovitz, Holland, Moxham. Oral Anatomy, Histology and Embryology.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  2. Gray's anatomy : the anatomical basis of clinical practice. Susan Standring (Forty-second ed.). [New York]. 2021. ISBN 978-0-7020-7707-4. OCLC 1201341621.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
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