Magnetic resonance imaging of the equine temporomandibular joint anatomy.
Authors: Rodríguez M J, Agut A, Soler M, López-Albors O, Arredondo J, Querol M, Latorre R
Journal: Equine veterinary journal
Summary
# Editorial Summary: MRI of the Equine Temporomandibular Joint Whilst MRI has long been established as the gold standard for assessing the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) in human medicine, equine veterinarians have lacked a detailed reference for interpreting TMJ imaging in horses. Using cadaveric specimens from six Spanish Purebreds (four immature and two mature), researchers systematically evaluated multiple MRI sequences—including spin-echo T1-weighting, T2*-weighting, fat-suppressed proton density-weighting and fast spin-echo T2-weighting—across oblique sagittal, transverse and dorsal planes, with anatomical sections serving as validation. Spin-echo T1-weighted images delivered superior spatial resolution and anatomical detail for baseline structural assessment, whilst T2*-weighting and fat-suppressed proton density-weighting significantly improved visualisation of key soft tissue components including the articular disc, synovial fluid, synovial pouches and articular cartilage. The oblique sagittal and transverse planes proved most diagnostically informative, with the authors recommending these orientations combined with appropriate sequencing as the cornerstone for clinical TMJ evaluation. For equine practitioners—particularly those investigating performance issues, head carriage abnormalities or oral dysfunction—this framework provides the anatomical foundation necessary to recognise pathology that other imaging modalities cannot detect, potentially opening diagnostic pathways for conditions previously attributed to behavioural or training-related causes.
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Practical Takeaways
- •When using MRI to evaluate equine TMJ problems, request oblique sagittal and transverse plane imaging with SE T1W as baseline sequences for anatomical identification
- •Ask your radiologist to include T2*W or fat-suppressed PDW sequences to better visualize soft tissue structures like cartilage and synovial pouches, improving diagnostic sensitivity
- •MRI can now diagnose TMJ pathology in horses that cannot be detected by other imaging methods, providing a valuable tool for investigating chronic jaw dysfunction or pain
Key Findings
- •Oblique sagittal and transverse planes provided the most informative anatomical visualization of equine TMJ structures
- •SE T1W sequences demonstrated superior spatial resolution and anatomic detail compared to other sequences
- •T2*W and fat-suppressed PDW sequences provided superior contrast for visualizing articular cartilage, synovial fluid, synovial pouches, and disc
- •Multiplanar MRI with anatomical correlation successfully established normal sectional anatomy of equine TMJ