W.A. Weijs

A three-dimensional mathematical model of the human masticatory system predicting maximum possible bite forces

A three-dimensional mathematical model of the human masticatory system, containing 16 muscle forces and two joint reaction forces, is described. The model allows simulation of static bite forces and concomitant joint reaction forces for various bite point locations and mandibular positions. The system parameters for the model were obtained from a cadaver head. Maximum possible bite forces were computed using optimization techniques; the optimization criterion we used was the minimizing of the relative activity of the most active muscle. The model predicts that at each specific bite point, bite forces can be generated in a wide range of directions, and that the magnitude of the maximum bite force depends on its direction. The relationship between bite force direction and its maximum magnitude depends on bite point location and mandibular position. In general, the direction of the largest possible bite force does not coincide with the direction perpendicular to the occlusal plane.

Coactivation of jaw muscles: Recruitment order and level as a function of bite force direction and magnitude

The aim of this study was to obtain insight into the coactivation behaviour of the jaw muscles under various a priori defined static loading conditions of the mandible. As the masticatory system is mechanically redundant, an infinite number of recruitment patterns is theoretically possible to produce a certain bite force. Using a three-component force transducer and a feedback method, subjects could be instructed to produce a bite force of specific direction and magnitude under simultaneous registration of the EMG activity of anterior and posterior temporal, masseter and digastric muscles on each side. Forces were measured at the second premolars. Vertical, anterior, posterior, lateral and medial force directions were examined; in each direction force levels between 50 N and maximal voluntary force were produced. The results show that for all muscles the bite force-EMG relationship obeys a straight-line fit for forces exceeding 50 N. The relationship varies with bite force direction, except in the case of the digastric muscles. Variation is small for the anterior temporal and large for the posterior temporal and masseter muscles. The relative activation of muscles for a particular force in a particular direction in unique, despite the redundancy.

A Comparison of Jaw Muscle Cross-sections of Long-face and Normal Adults

Long-face subjects have smaller maximum molar bite forces than do normal individuals. This has been attributed both to differences in moment arms and size of the jaw muscles. In this study, a comparison was made between the mid-belly cross-sectional areas of the jaw muscles of 13 long-face and 35 normal adults by means of serial MRI scans. The subjects were selected on the basis of anterior lower face height as a percentage of anterior total face height. These and other cephalometric variables were measured from lateral radiographs. In the long-face group, the cross-sectional areas of the masseter, medial pterygoid, and anterior temporal muscles were, respectively, 30%, 22%, and 15% smaller than in the control group. By a discriminant analysis and a multivariate analysis of variance, these differences were found to be significant (p < 0.001). The findings of this study hint that differences in the sizes of the jaw muscles of long-face and normal subjects might explain, in part, the observed differences in maximum molar bite force.

Electromyographic Heterogeneity in the Human Masseter Muscle

The complex, pennate architecture of the human masseter muscle points to a functional division into more than the commonly distinguished deep and superficial parts. In this study, the possible existence of regional differences in activation was examined. EMG activity was registered in three deep and three superficial regions with the use of bipolar fine-wire electrodes. Recordings were made during different static bite tasks, in specified directions, and with a specified bite-force magnitude. A linear bite-force/EMG relationship was observed. Furthermore, it appeared that muscle regions showed a different pattern of change in activity as a function of bite-force direction. Heterogeneity was nearly absent in anteriorly-, anteriomedially-, and medially-directed bites, but became increasingly obvious in the other bite-force directions. The posterior deep region showed the most aberrant activation pattern, which was almost opposite that from the other regions. This part was fully active in posterolaterally-directed bites. The posterior superficial region showed the largest variability in activity as a function of bite-force direction. The results point to a functional partition of the masseter muscle in at least three parts: anterior deep, posterior deep, and superficial. A further subdivision of the superficial portion might be present, but was not as obvious as the division of the deep masseter.

Electromyographic Heterogeneity in the Human Temporalis and Masseter Muscles during Dynamic Tasks Guided by Visual Feedback

The complex architecture of the human jaw muscles suggests regional differences in function within these muscles. This study examines the way the temporalis and masseter muscle regions are activated when free mandibular movements with various speeds and against various external loads are carried out guided by visual feedback. Electromyographic (EMG) activity was registered in six temporalis and three masseter muscle regions with bipolar fine-wire electrodes. Recordings were made during open/close excursions, protrusion/retrusion movements, and laterodeviations. During open/close excursions and protrusion/retrusion movements, an anterior and posterior temporalis part could be distinguished, whereas during laterodeviations a more complex partitioning of this muscle was observed. During the protrusion/retrusion movements and the laterodeviations, the temporalis muscle demonstrated higher EMG peak activities than the masseter muscle, and within the masseter muscle the deep masseter showed higher EMG peaks than the superficial one. In contrast to this, during the open/close excursions the masseter showed higher peak activities than the temporalis muscle, while the superficial masseter showed higher EMG peak activities than the deep masseter. Within the deep masseter, differences were also found. During open/close excursions, the anterior deep region demonstrated higher EMG peak activities than the posterior region, whereas during protrusion/retrusion and laterodeviations the posterior deep region showed higher peaks. In general, speed had a greater effect on the EMG peak activity than external load. Only during laterodeviations did speed and load equally influence peak activity in both the deep and superficial masseter. During protrusion/retrusion movements, load showed no significant effect on EMG peak activity in the masseter muscle. A general finding was that, according to task, different regions were activated preferentially. This points to a partitioning of the excitatory command of the motoneuron pool.

Forces Acting on the Patella during Maximal Voluntary Contraction of the Quadriceps femoris Muscle at Different Knee Flexion/Extension Angles

From knee extension moments measured with a dynamometer, the quadriceps muscle force, the patellar ligament force and the reaction force in the patellofemoral joint at various knee angles (0-90 degrees) were estimated. The information needed to calculate the combined effect of both patellofemoral and tibiofemoral joint on the mechanical advantage of the muscle was obtained from lateral-view radiographs of autopsy knees. The results show that the smallest quadriceps force (2,000 N) is exerted at maximal extension, and the largest force (8,000 N) at about 75 degrees of flexion. The patellar ligament force reaches a maximum (5,000 N) at 60 degrees. The reaction force in the patellofemoral joint is the smallest (1,000 N) at extension and is of the same values as the muscle force in a range from 75 to 90 degrees. Especially at large flexion angles, the value of the estimated forces is considerably larger (by 100%) than reported in the literature. This difference is attributed to the influence of the patellofemoral joint on the mechanical advantage of the muscle, which has not been taken into account in other studies.

A Feedback Method to Determine the Three-dimensional Bite-force Capabilities of the Human Masticatory System

A feedback procedure is described that enables a subject to exert bite forces in certain specified directions during static contraction of the human jaw muscles. The output of a three-dimensional transducer is fed to a computer. The magnitude and direction of the resultant force are computed and visualized by a cross on the screen of the computer terminal. In a bite experiment, the subject is instructed to match this cross with a point on the screen, representing the desired bite-force direction. The procedure allows for determination of the range of possible bite-force directions and magnitudes for various locations on the dental arch and study of the concomitant recruitement patterns of the jaw muscles. Some examples of measurement are given.

Mechanical capabilities of the human jaw muscles studied with a mathematical model

The human muscles of mastication have complex shapes with large attachment areas. This suggests a variety of bite force directions and magnitudes. The possible range of these and the concomitant joint force of each individual muscle were determined by a mathematical model describing static equilibrium conditions in the sagittal plane. The range of force directions for each muscle was defined by the action lines of the most anterior and most posterior (for the lateral pterygoid, most superior and most inferior) muscle fibre bundles. Calculations from the various directions of the reaction force in the temporomandibular joint demonstrated that each muscle can produce a unique variety of bite force directions. Except for the lateral pterygoid and posterior temporalis, the range and orientation of possible bite forces was closely related to the orientation of the joint force. In general, at the canine tooth the bite forces were directed more posteriorly than at the second molar. Within a muscle, distinct portions may produce considerably different bite force magnitudes; the largest bite forces are produced at horizontal and vertical joint force directions. The posterior portions of the deep masseter and temporalis muscles and the lateral pterygoid muscle have the largest mechanical advantage. In the majority of muscles the magnitude of the joint reaction force is smallest at an oblique joint force direction.

Differential Expression of Equine Myosin Heavy-chain mRNA and Protein Isoforms in a Limb Muscle

The horse is one of the few animals kept and bred for its athletic performance and is therefore an interesting model for human sports performance. The regulation of the development of equine locomotion in the first year of life, and the influence of early training on later performance, are largely unknown. The major structural protein in skeletal muscle, myosin heavy-chain (MyHC), is believed to be primarily transcriptionally controlled. To investigate the expression of the MyHC genes at the transcriptional level, we isolated cDNAs encoding the equine MyHC isoforms type 1 (slow), type 2a (fast oxidative), and type 2d/x (fast glycolytic). cDNAs encoding the 2b gene were not identified. The mRNA expression was compared to the protein expression on a fiber-to-fiber basis using in situ hybridization (non-radioactive) and immunohistochemistry. Marked differences were detected between the expression of MyHC transcripts and MyHC protein isoforms in adult equine gluteus medius muscle. Mismatches were primarily due to the presence of hybrid fibers expressing two fast (2ad) MyHC protein isoforms, but only one fast (mainly 2a) MyHC RNA isoform. This discrepancy was most likely not due to differential mRNA expression of myonuclei.

Jaw Muscle Orientation and Moment Arms of Long-face and Normal Adults

Long-face subjects have strongly reduced bite forces relative to normal subjects. This difference cannot be fully explained by the reduced cross-sectional area of the jaw muscles. In this study, we investigated whether the orientation and moment arms of the jaw muscles of normal and long-face subjects are different, and if so, to what extent these differences contribute to the observed differences in maximum molar bite-force levels. Three MRI scan series with different orientations were made of the jaw muscles of 30 normal and 13 long-face subjects. These served as the basis for computer reconstructions of the external shape of the muscles. The spatial orientation of the jaw muscles was defined by the regression line through the centroids of the muscular cross-sections. The moment arms of the jaw muscles and the bite point of the first mandibular molar were measured with respect to the center of the ipsilateral condyle. The muscular variables-including angles, moment arms, and mechanical advantage-were analyzed with a discriminant analysis and a multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA). Differences in the spatial orientation of the temporalis muscle and the anterior digastric muscle contributed most to the distinction of the normal and long-face group. With MANOVA, it was shown that the normal and long-face group did not significantly differ with respect to the jaw muscle moment arms and mechanical advantage data. Only small differences were found between the sagittal muscle angles of the masseter and anterior digastric muscles in the two groups. In both the normal and long-face group, the orientation and moment arm data of the right and left muscles differed significantly. It was concluded that the variation of the spatial orientation of the jaw muscles is small and does not significantly contribute to the explanation of the different molar bite-force levels of long-face and normal subjects. Therefore, it is tempting to assume that the jaw muscles of normal and long-face subjects are different with respect to the maximum force they can exert per unit of cross-sectional area.