Sphenomandibular ligament

Sphenomandibular ligament
Articulation of the mandible. Medial aspect. (Spheno-mandibular lig. labeled vertically at center.)
Details
Latin	ligamentum sphenomandibulare
From	spine of sphenoid bone
To	mandibular foramen
Identifiers
Dorlands /Elsevier	l_09/12493077
TA
TH	{{#property:P1694}}
TE	{{#property:P1693}}
FMA	{{#property:P1402}}
Anatomical terminology [[[d:|edit on Wikidata]]]

The sphenomandibular ligament (internal lateral ligament) is a flat, thin band which 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. 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.

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 lateral pterygoid by the maxillary artery and from the ramus of the mandible by the inferior alveolar vessels and nerve and a parotid lobule.

The ligament is derived from Meckel's cartilage.

External links

• Anatomy diagram: 25420.000-1 at Roche Lexicon - illustrated navigator, Elsevier
• http://ect.downstate.edu/courseware/haonline/labs/l27/070105.htm