Sphenomandibular ligament

Attachments

The sphenomandibular ligament (internal lateral ligament) is a flat, thin band derived from Meckel’s cartilage. It is attached superiorly to the spina angularis (spine) of the sphenoid bone, and, becoming broader as it descends, is fixed to the lingula of the mandibular foramen.

Course

The lateral pterygoid and the auriculotemporal nerve are lateral relations; the chorda tympani nerve lies medial near its upper end and medial pterygoid is an inferomedial relation. The sphenomandibular ligament is separated from the neck of the mandible below the lateral pterygoid by the maxillary artery and from the ramus of the mandible by the inferior alveolar vessels and nerve and a parotid lobule.

Function

The function of the sphenomandibular ligament is to limit distension of the mandible in an inferior direction. It is slack when the TMJ is in closed position. It is taut as the condyle of the mandible is in front of the temporomandibular ligament.

The illustration above shows the articulation of the mandible (medial aspect), with the sphenomandibular ligament labeled vertically at the center.

Attachments:

Sphenomandibular.png (image/png)