Abstract
Objective To describe the morphological characteristics and asymmetries between the left and
right mandibular condyles in Brazilian cadaveric specimens.
Material and Methods Thirty-two jaws were placed on a rigid support for image acquisition of the frontal
and lateral views. The shapes of the mandibular condyles were classified, and measurements
of the distance between the anatomical landmarks in the lateral and frontal views
were performed.
Results Mandibular length and width were not different between the right and left sides.
Regarding the shapes of the mandibular condyles, the rounded type was the most frequent,
followed by marked medial slope; flattened; overhanging lateral and medial slopes;
downward flattening of both slopes and their merger in a single, extensive surface;
and deformity and marked lateral slope with flaring and flattening. Asymmetry between
the left and right mandibular condyles was present in 40% of the specimens.
Conclusion The anatomy of mandibular condyles varies greatly, and this knowledge can avoid misdiagnosis
by image examination of the anatomic variations.
Keywords
mandibular condyle - jaw - anatomic variation - temporomandibular joint
