The importance of the lateral pterygoid muscle in temporomandibular disorders

Abstract

Introduction. The clinical concept that would argue that the activity of the lateral pterygoid muscle, being disturbed, would play an important role as an etiological factor in temporomandibular joint dysfunctions is still widely accepted, being also a decisive factor in the correct choice of the treatment plan. However, because of the fact that very few research and clear evidence were conducted and presented to support completely that concept, it continues to remain a very controversial one. Materials and methods. For this literature review were considered and studied scientific articles published between 2000 and 2023, in the following electronic databases: PubMed, MEDLINE, Google Scholar, BIR Publications, ScienceDirect. Research methods – analysis, synthesis, systematization and description. Results. Patients presenting temporomandibular joint dysfunction complain about pain in the temporomandibular joint or/and in masticatory muscles, limitation and sounds during mandibular activity. Temporomandibular dysfunction is a non-specific collective term, used to describe a heterogeneous group of pathological conditions located in the territory of the stomatognathic system. These are considered musculoskeletal conditions that cause pain while performing the function (mastication, speech, swallowing), with increased sensitivity in the masticatory muscles and/ or the temporomandibular joint, with possible limitations of the range of motion, the appearance of joint noises and otological symptoms. One of the theories claims that in temporomandibular dysfunction, the lateral pterygoid muscle becomes hyperactive, hypoactive or that there is a lack of coordination between the superior and inferior branches of the muscle, or that there is a disturbance during the performance of the role of the muscle to control and stabilize the temporomandibular joint. However, the in-depth study of the specialized literature indicates that no scientific evidence is yet available that the function of the lateral pterygoid muscles in temporomandibular dysfunction is somehow disturbed. Moreover, the muscle’s role during the execution of its normal function has also been questioned and remains a matter of controversy. Conclusions. The lateral pterygoid muscle obviously plays an important role in the development of temporomandibular dysfunction through the prism of its anatomical and functional particularities, referring to the superior fascicle responsible for the correct anatomical maintenance of the articular disc during function.