Differences in morphologies of the articular eminence and glenoid fossa according to disk displacement and sex.

Objective: This study aimed to assess the differences in the morphologies of the articular eminence and glenoid fossa according to disk displacement status and sex using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT).

Study design: Based on MRI, the disk position was classified into normal disk position (NR), disk displacement with reduction (DDR), and disk displacement without reduction (DDNR). After evaluation of the morphologies of the articular eminence and glenoid fossa on the CT scans, differences in the morphologies of the articular eminence and glenoid fossa with respect to disk displacement and sex were analyzed.

Results: The joints with DDNR had a longer fossa length than those with NR or DDR, and a larger fossa volume than those with NR. The joints with DDNR had a higher eminence height than those with NR, but a smaller eminence inclination than those with NR or DDR. Interestingly, differences in all dimensions of the articular eminence and glenoid fossa with respect to disk displacement status were not significantly affected by sex.

Conclusion: The joints with DDNR have greater length and volume of the glenoid fossa, greater eminence height, and smaller eminence inclination compared to those with NR, regardless of sex.