Purpose: The aim of this study was to analyze three-dimensional images of the arterial supply to the temporomandibular
joint.
Materials and Methods: Ten patients (five men and five women, mean age 36 years) without signs or symptoms of
temporomandibular disorders, who underwent contrast-enhanced computed tomographic (CT) scanning with
intravenous contrast, were studied. The direct volume rendering technique of CT images was used, and a data set of
images to visualize the vasculature of the human temporomandibular joint in three dimensions was created. After
elaboration of the data through post-processing, the arterial supply of the temporomandibular joint was studied.
Results: The analysis revealed the superficial temporal artery, the anterior tympanic artery, the deep temporal
artery, the auricular posterior artery, the transverse facial artery, the middle meningeal artery, and the maxillary
artery with their branches as the main arterial sources for the lateral and medial temporomandibular joint.
Conclusion: The direct volume rendering technique was found to be successful in the assessment of the arterial
supply to the temporomandibular joint. The superficial temporal artery and maxillary artery ran along the lateral
and medial sides of the condylar neck, suggesting that these arteries are at increased risk during soft-tissue procedures
such as an elective arthroplasty of the temporomandibular joint
