Discomalleolar Ligament in the Adult Human

AbstractThe ligamentous structures connecting the temporomandibular joint region and the middle ear were investigated in adult cadavers by the superior approach through the middle cranial fossa. As a result, two ligaments—the continuation of the sphenomandibular ligament with the malleus and the discomalleolar ligament—were present. They passed through the petrotympanic fissure and attached individually to the neck of the malleus, although the discomalleolar ligament was said to become discontinuous with the malleus in older fetal life. Thus, what is called the anterior ligament of the malleus was actually composed of these two ligaments. The discomalleolar ligaments varied greatly in size with cadaver. The authors discuss the liagments' possible contribution to the presence of the aural symptoms related to temporomandibular joint dysfunction.