Volumetric Assessment of Lateral Pterygoid Muscle in Unilateral Chewing

• DOI: 10.1097/scs.0b013e3181ae41e9
• Publication Date: 2009-09-17T07:13:53Z
• Authors: Huseyin A. Balcioglu; Yigit Uyanikgil; Sinan Yuruker; Hakan S. Tuna; Umit Karacayli
• Keywords: Lateral pterygoid muscle; Pterygoid Muscles

Unilateral chewing habit is common in dentate populations. It may initiate a hypertrophy process the lateral pterygoid muscles compared with nonused sides. We hypothesized that of affected sides would be larger volume than those nonaffected subjects unilateral habit. Because analysis medical images accordance rules modern stereology enables precise unbiased estimates muscle volume, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) criterion standard as an modality for because its excellent soft-tissue resolution, we estimated both at right left using stereologic techniques (Cavalieri principle) by means MRI. The MRI-estimated volumes inferior superior heads side were significantly greater opposite when compared. This finding assist interpretation temporomandibular joint-related problems maxillofacial surgery clinics. investigation has also demonstrated systematically sampled MRI slices through can used to obtain estimates.