ABSTRACT
Objectives: To examine histological aspects of the ligaments between the middle ear
and temporomandibular joint and suppose a theoretical role of their structural characteristics
on mobility of mallear ossicle.
Methods: The ligaments were obtained by microdissection of middle cranial fossa on
both sites of 15 cadavers fixed in formalin solution and were sectioned longitudinally
(7-10 µm thickness). The sections were stained with Verhoff’s Van Gieson’s stain (VVG)
for demonstration of elastic fibers and visualized at X2.5 and X10 magnifications
under light microscopy.
Results: Anterior mallear ligament (AML) and sphenomandibular ligaments (SML) were
consisted of collagen fibres in analyzed specimens. The discomallear ligament (DML)
was constituted
of rich collagenous fibres. One specimen of DML harvested between petrotympanic fissure
and
retrodiscal-capsular intersection site contained elastic fibers dispersed in cotton-bowl
appearance between collagen fibers. In the light of functional tests performed in
previous studies, it could be extrapolated that presence of elastic fibers in the
DML may prevent excessive forces conducted to mallear head by elongation of elastic
fibers.
Conclusions: Collagenous fibres have no ability to stretch along their axis which
may lack compensatory mechanism to prevent mallear head mobility. (Eur J Dent 2009;3:280-284)
Key words:
Anterior mallear ligament - Discomallear ligament - Sphenomandibular ligament - Collagen
fibres - Elastic fibres - Malleus
