Ultrasonographic and Computed Tomographic Anatomy of the Temporomandibular Joint in Goat (Capra hircus)

Articles in Press

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Beni-Suef University, Beni Suef 62511, Egypt.

Abstract

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) has a complicated anatomical configuration that makes TMJ disease diagnosis challenging. The availability of ultrasonography and computed tomography (CT) in veterinary clinics has made the examination of this joint more feasible. The current study aimed to clarify the normal anatomical appearance of the TMJ in goats using ultrasonography and CT. The current study was conducted on 10 healthy adult goats of both sexes, aged 1-3.5 years and weighing 15-25 kg. The TMJs of six goats were examined using an ultrasonographic device with a 7.5 MHz linear probe. The cadaveric heads of the other four goats were examined using a multidetector helical computed tomography scanner. Ultrasonography provided high-quality images of the TMJ structures, including articular surfaces, joint cavity, joint capsule, and articular disc. CT allowed a brief visualization of the bony and soft tissues of the TMJ, providing superior discrimination of the bony elements and ligaments of this joint, which could not be clearly defined on ultrasonography. Additionally, the structures in the TMJ area, masticatory muscles, blood vessels, and parotid salivary gland could be depicted and defined on both ultrasonography and CT images. The annotated data provided a comprehensive anatomical description of the normal TMJ in goat using ultrasonography and CT to be a standard reference for further clinical diagnosis of this joint.

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Journal of Veterinary Medical Research

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 13 September 2025

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