Distribution of the muscle spindles in human masticatory muscles / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the characteristics in the topographic distribution of the muscle spindles in human masticatory muscles.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The muscle spindles of the masticatory muscles on both sides of 3 human corpses fixed in formalin for more than 1 year were observed histologically and analyzed quantitatively using an image analysis system.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The mean muscle spindle density was 32.11/g in the masseter, significantly higher in the deep muscular fibers (70.76/g) with high proportion of spindle complexes than in the superficial layers of the muscle belly (P<0.05). The mean spindle density in the temporalis was 5.44/g, higher in the anterior portion (7.44/g) than in the posterior portion (3.78/g, P<0.01). The medial pterygoid had a mean spindle density of 4.43/g.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>These results indicate a heterogeneous distribution of muscle spindles in the masticatory muscles with different morphologies or in different portions of the same muscle, depending on muscle fiber type and muscular architecture.</p>

Stereology investigation of muscle spindles in human masseter and temporalis muscle / 华西口腔医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To find out the characteristic topographic distribution of the muscle spindles in human masseter and temporal muscle, and to clarify the neurobiology roles of masticatory muscles during chew and adjusting mandibular position.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The muscle spindles of masseter and temporal muscle on both sides of 5 human corpses fixed in formalin for more than 1 year were observed and quantitatively analyzed by picture analysis equipment.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The muscle spindles were maldistributed and spindles were commonly clustered in some individual portions, and the muscle spindle figures were diversiform, which were predominantly composed of the spindle simple and spindle complexes. The masseter spindles of the deep portion were obviously more than that of the superficial. Spindles of temporal muscle were concentrated in the anterior approach to the coracoid.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The distribution of muscle spindles in the masseter and temporal muscle is heterogeneous, spindle density in the deep portion of masseter and the anterior of temporolis muscle is greater than others. The deep of masseter and the anterior of temporal muscle play an important part in maintaining mandibular position and balance.</p>