DOI:

10.37988/1811-153X_2025_3_151

Normal morphology of the temporomandibular joint soft-tissue (literature review)

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Authors

  • I.S. Naidanova 1, 2, PhD in Medical Sciences, associate professor of the Department of additional education in dentistry specialties; assistant at the Prosthodontics and material science Department with the course of Orthodontics of adults
    ORCID: 0000-0003-3303-0225
  • E.A. Bulycheva 1, 2, Doctor of Science in Medicine, full professor of the Department of additional education in dentistry specialties; professor of the Prosthodontics and material science Department with the course of Orthodontics of adults
    ORCID: 0000-0002-1175-5682
  • A.G. Bystrov 2, 3, PhD in Medical Sciences, associate professor and head of the Prosthodontics Department; associate professor of the Prosthodontics and material science Department with the course of Orthodontics of adults
    ORCID: 0000-0001-6471-1723
  • Yu.A. Bystrova 2, 3, PhD in Medical Sciences, associate professor of the Prosthodontics and material science Department with the course of Orthodontics of adults; associate professor of the Prosthodontics Department
    ORCID: 0000-0001-6972-7281
  • D.S. Bulycheva 4, PhD in Medical Sciences, associate professor of the Department of Pediatric dentistry and Orthodontics
    ORCID: 0000-0003-0539-4830
  • E.S. Taskina 5, PhD in Medical Sciences, associate professor of the Ophthalmology Department
    ORCID: 0000-0002-6223-8888
  • I.A. Kirillov 6, general practice dentist
    ORCID: 0009-0002-1475-2302
  • 1 Yaroslav-the-Wise Novgorod State University, 173003, Veliky Novgorod, Russia
  • 2 Pavlov University, 197022, Saint-Petersburg, Russia
  • 3 Saint-Petersburg Medico-Social Institute, 195271, Saint-Petersburg, Russia
  • 4 RUDN University, 117198, Moscow, Russia
  • 5 Chita State Medical Academy, 672000, Chita, Russia
  • 6 Center for Innovative Dentistry “Kristall” LLC, 196084, Saint-Petersburg, Russia

Abstract

The aim of this review is to examine current concepts regarding the morphological characteristics of the soft tissue components of the adult human temporomandibular joint (TMJ) under normal conditions. A literature search was conducted in the scientific electronic library eLibrary and the international electronic databases PubMed, MEDLINE, Google Scholar, and ResearchGate. Forty-four scientific publications with a publication date not exceeding 15 years were selected for detailed analysis. The article provides a description of the anatomy, histological structure and biochemical composition of the soft tissue elements of the temporomandibular joint: the articular capsule, articular disc, synovial fluid, capsular ligaments and retrodiscal tissues.

Key words:

temporomandibular joint, articular capsule, articular disc, synovial fluid, capsular ligaments, retrodiscal tissues, anatomy, histology

For Citation

[1]
Naidanova I.S., Bulycheva E.A., Bystrov A.G., Bystrova Yu.A., Bulycheva D.S., Taskina E.S., Kirillov I.A. Normal morphology of the temporomandibular joint soft-tissue (literature review). Clinical Dentistry (Russia).  2025; 28 (3): 151—159. DOI: 10.37988/1811-153X_2025_3_151

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Received

April 5, 2025

Accepted

July 25, 2025

Published on

September 21, 2025