The relationship between the size of temporomandibular joint condyle and the sagittal disc-condyle position in adults

Objective To explore the relationship between the size of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) condyle and the sagittal disc-condyle position and the relationship between the condylar size and craniofacial structure.Methods Seventy-four subjects (23.82 ± 3.77 years) underwent cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) and lateral cephalograms for orthodontics and volunteered to undergo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Mimics was used to calculate the volume and surface area of the condyle. MRI was used to evaluate the sagittal disc-condyle position. The lateral cephalograms were analyzed by Jarabak analysis.Results The condylar volume and surface area were negatively correlated with the sagittal disc-condyle position. The condylar volume and surface area were positively correlated with Ar-Go, S-Go, and S-Go/N-Me*100% (p < 0.05) and negatively correlated with ∠Ar-Go-Me and ∠N-Go-Me (p < 0.05).Conclusion Condylar size was negatively correlated with the sagittal disc-condyle position. The condylar size was correlated with the vertical skeletal pattern.