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Innervation of the human lateral pterygoid muscle

Innervation du muscle ptérygoïdien latéral

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Summary

The one- or two-headed arrangement of the lateral pterygoid m. (LPM) was analysed by studying the motor nerve distribution within the muscular tissue. In all subjects, the main innervation of the lateral pterygoid m. came from the anterior trunk of the mandibular n. by one to three nerves. These nerves divided into five or six vertical branches which ramified into parallel horizontal tiny fibers. Consequently, the lateral pterygoid m. appeared to be divided into oblique sagittal planes and horizontal layers by the nerve branches, reflecting the multipennate organisation of the muscle. These layers can be selectively recruited during mandibular movements, ensuing a fine medial-lateral control. According to its nerve supply, the LPM has to be considered as a single unit made of independent functional musulo-aponeurotic layers even though its morphologic conformation is in one, two or three heads.

Résumé

L'organisation du muscle ptérygoïdien latéral (LPM) en un ou deux chefs a été analysée à travers l'étude de son innervation. Tous les muscles étudiés présentaient une innervation provenant directement du tronc terminal antérieur du nerf mandibulaire. Cette innervation était issue de 1 à 3 nerfs ptérygoïdiens qui se divisaient rapidement en 2 à 8 branches principales. A l'intérieur du muscle, les nerfs s'organisaient en plans verticaux, parallèles entre eux, de dehors en dedans. Ils émettaient des rameaux terminaux horizontaux parallèles aux fibres musculaires. Ce muscle apparaissait donc divisé par des plans nerveux sagittaux obliques et horizontaux, ces derniers reflétant son organisation penniforme. Les couches musculaires pourraient être sélectivement recrutées lors des mouvements mandibulaires. L'organisation nerveuse intra-musculaire montre que le muscle ptérygoïdien latéral doit être considéré comme un muscle constitué d'une seule entité anatomique formée par une alternance de couches musculo-aponévrotiques fonctionnellement indépendantes.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Oral Anatomy, Faculty of Dentistry, University Denis Diderot Paris VII, 5, rue Garancière, F-75006, Paris, France

    J. M. Foucart & J. P. Girin

  2. Department of Basic Dental Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry, Laboratory of Orthopedic Research UPRES-A CNRS 7052, University Denis Diderot Paris 7, 10, Avenue de Verdun, F-75010, Paris, France

    P. Carpentier

Authors
  1. J. M. Foucart
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  2. J. P. Girin
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  3. P. Carpentier
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Foucart, J.M., Girin, J.P. & Carpentier, P. Innervation of the human lateral pterygoid muscle. Surg Radiol Anat 20, 185–189 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01628893

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01628893

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