Answer
The lateral ligament keeps the mandible in proper position.
The temporamandibular joint (TMJ)is a complex joint that involves the mandible and the tubercle of the temporal bone. It is the only freely movable joint of the skull and it must work properly for effective mastication of food. More specifically, the mandible must track properly when we chew.There are several ligaments associated with the TMJ, but the most important is the lateral ligament . It strengthens the TMJ and prevents lateral displacement of the mandible.
Work Step by Step
The mandible is part the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). The TMJ is a complex hinge-gliding joint between the tubercle of the temporal bone and the mandible (lower jaw bone). Several ligaments --the lateral, the sphenomandibular and the stylomandibular-- bind these bones together to ensure that the mandible tracks properly for efficient mastication. The lateral ligament is the most important ligament in this arthrosis; it strengthens the joint and prevents lateral displacement of the mandible.
