A literature survey of a hundred years of anatomic and functional lateral pterygoid muscle research

Controversial topics that influence the etiology and the treatment of temporomandibular disorders include anatomy and function of the lateral pterygoid muscle, and the nature of the disc-muscle connection. To explore whether an agreement has been reached among researchers, a literature survey focusing on the structure, performance, and disc-muscle interface of the lateral pterygoid muscle was performed. Eighty-nine original research articles were identified in the Index Medicus information system from 1879 to 1994 by applying the keyword phrase lateral pterygoid muscle. A majority of references (65%) identified two separate parts of the lateral pterygoid muscle as well as insertions into the disc, the capsule, and the condyle. Seventy-five percent of the articles agreed on three major functions. This literature survey revealed a consensus regarding anatomy, function, and disc connection among the majority of the researchers. However, diverging opinions were persistent and could be identified.