Study of Lateral Pterygoid Muscle and its Relation with the Maxillary Artery and Buccal Nerve and an Anatomical Classification Based on its Insertion.

Background: Lateral pterygoid muscle plays an important role in the mandibular movements and dynamics of temporomandibualr joint. Anterior displacement of the disc and temporomandibular dysfunction has been related to the insertion of upper head of LPM in the TMJ disc. Materials and Methods: A study was conducted on forty specimens from formalin fixed cadavers in the department of Anatomy , BMCRI, Bangalore. Results and Discussion: In 72.5% of cases the upper head of LPM insert to the disc and blend with the capsule and lower head inserts to the inferior aspect of the disc, to the capsule and the condyle of mandible. Conclusion: Though there is no clear demarcation between the heads of LPM majority of the upper fibers insert to the disc and to the capsule.