articular tubercle of temporal bone

Definition: articular eminence of the temporal bone that bounds the mandibular fossa anteriorly; it forms the anterior root of the zygomatic process; it is enclosed by the articular capsule of the temporomandibular joint with the articular fossa; the head of the mandible (and intervening articular disc) moves onto the articular tubercle to allow full depression of the mandible (opening of the mouth).

Synonym(s): tuberculum articulare ossis temporalisTA, articular eminence of temporal bone, eminentia articularis ossis temporalis, tuber zygomaticum

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