Structures and relationships of the anterior malleus ligament.

48 temporal bones, fixed in 10 percent formaline, were dissected by microdissection and the anterior malleus ligament was studied morphological and histologically. Some gross sections were made to microscopic observations and microssections, to histologic preparations. The anterior malleus ligament shows fasciculate aspect in its intratympanic portion, by 3 fascicles , superior, middle and inferior, with dentate form. The superior fascicle is whitish, dimmed and frequently thinner than the others and was classified under 4 patterns, according to its insertion. The middle fascicle is the thickest, voluminous+, whitish and shinning ; tendinous, it is inserted below the superior fascicle . The inferior fascicle is thickness and insert immediately under the middle one. The extratympanic portion of the anterior malleus ligament is fasciculate but little evident; it shows irregular aspect, flattened, with disperses fibres into the petrotympanic fissure. However can be noted continuity of the fascicles that are crossed by the nerve chorda tympani. Several fibres insert on the nasal spine and on the sphenomandibular ligament, where the fibres intertwine. They finish on the disc, articular capsule and anterior malleus ligament through a true interlinked. Histological observations of the anterior malleus ligament show a modelate and dense conjunctive formation, while in the temporomandibular joint capsular region was not a modelate conjunctive.