The discomallear ligament: anatomical, microscopical, and radiologic analysis

Background Several anatomic relationships between the ear and the temporo-mandibular joint have been proposed to account for the presence of tinnitus during temporo-mandibular disorders. Among the otomandibular structures, the discomallear ligament (DML) is interposed between the malleus and the retrodiscal capsular complex. The aim of present paper was to study through dissection the frequency and morphology of DML, to characterize its type of collagen, and to evaluate the DML on routine computed tomography (CT). Methods and results The study has been conducted on five un-embalmed adult cadavers, and in all cases, the DML was present (100%). It was constituted mainly by fibers of collagen I, with abundant elastic fibers. On CT exams of 40 patients with no reported pathology of the ear, on axial images, a dense structure, going from the upper end of the petrotympanic fissure to the neck of the malleus, was present in all the cases. In 90%, it showed a triangular shape, in 5% a rectangular shape, and in 5% a curved course. The mean length of the antero-medial side was 2 +/- 0.6 mm and that of the antero-lateral side was 1.63 +/- 0.5, and the mean area was 1.29 +/- 0.83 mm(2). Conclusion The DML could represent an anatomical structure that joining the temporo-mandibular joint and the malleus may play a role in the otologic symptoms during temporo-mandibular disorders.