The retrodiscal tissue of the TMJ contains loose areolar tissue, venous plexus, and potential bursal spaces posterior to the articular disc, between the disc and the posterior capsule. This highly vascularised retrodiscal zone is the primary pain generator in anterior disc displacement and TMJ arthritis.
Retrodiscal TMJ tissue inflammation is the dominant source of pain in TMJ internal derangement. When the disc displaces anteriorly, the condyle articulates directly against the retrodiscal tissue (bilaminar zone) rather than the avascular disc, producing marked pain and tenderness. Intra-articular TMJ injection targets the superior joint space to reach the retrodiscal zone. Arthroscopy of the TMJ superior compartment visualises the retrodiscal tissue directly.
Painful inflammation of the retrodiscal bilaminar zone from anterior disc displacement, producing preauricular pain worsened by chewing and jaw opening, managed with occlusal splinting and intra-articular injection.
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