Which TMJ ligament runs from the lateral surface of the articular tubercle to the mandible?

Which TMJ ligament runs from the lateral surface of the articular tubercle to the mandible?

• A. Temporo (lateral)
• B. Spheno (medial)
• C. Stylo (posterior)
• D. Stylomandibular

Answer: (A)

The lateral temporomandibular ligament is the one that runs from the articular tubercle (lateral surface of the temporal bone) to the mandible. It forms the major lateral reinforcement of the TMJ, anchoring the joint capsule and guiding the condyle as the jaw opens and translates forward, while helping prevent dislocation. The other ligaments mentioned originate from different skull landmarks (such as the sphenoid or styloid process) and do not connect to the articular tubercle, so they don’t fit the described path.

The lateral temporomandibular ligament is the one that runs from the articular tubercle (lateral surface of the temporal bone) to the mandible. It forms the major lateral reinforcement of the TMJ, anchoring the joint capsule and guiding the condyle as the jaw opens and translates forward, while helping prevent dislocation. The other ligaments mentioned originate from different skull landmarks (such as the sphenoid or styloid process) and do not connect to the articular tubercle, so they don’t fit the described path.