Characteristics of the human temporomandibular joint in 4-6 months of intrauterine development

Abstract

While dental technology has advanced considerably, many structural aspects of dental components remain ambiguous, especially the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), this information is vital not only for its immediate contributions to fetal development knowledge but also for its long-term applications in medicine, dentistry, and developmental biology. The aim of the study. This study aimed to explore the structural characteristics of the TMJ during the second trimester of human fetal development. Material and methods. The analysis included 8 fetal specimens between 4 and 6 months old, with crown-rump lengths (CRL) ranging from 161.0 to 259.0 mm. The investigation employed various methods such as morphometry, craniometry, macro- and microdissection, and computed tomography.