The correlation of temporomandibular joint sounds with joint morphology in fifty-five autopsy specimens

Joint sounds from 55 fresh temporomandibular joint autopsy specimens were correlated with the macroscopic examination of joint morphology. Fifty-eight per cent of the joints were silent. Two thirds of these showed normal superior disc positions and remodeled articular surfaces, whereas one third exhibited anterior disc displacement. Twenty per cent of the joints elicited clicking and showed anterior disc displacement. Twenty-two per cent of the joints elicited crepitation and exhibited mostly arthrosis of the articular surfaces and perforation of the discs. Our results confirm previous statements that clicking and crepitation may be looked upon as signs of abnormal joint morphology, clicking indicating anterior disc displacement and crepitation usually indicating arthrosis. Absence of sound alone, however, should not be accepted as an indication of a normal joint.