Cross-sectional areas of the jaw muscles were determined by means of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in 12 healthy adult male subjects. These findings were compared with the cross-sectional areas of the jaw muscles of the same subjects, obtained by means of computer tomography (CT) in a previous study (Weijs and Hillen, 1985).
Significant correlations (r>0.7) were found between the CT and MRI cross-sections of the masseter, medial pterygoid, and temporalis muscles. The low correlation between the CT and MRI cross-sections of the lateral pterygoid muscle could be explained by the different imaging techniques (slice thickness) of MRI and CT scanning.
CT and MRI cross-sectional areas of the masseter and medial pterygoid muscle (but not the temporalis muscle) showed highly positive and significant correlations with the maximal voluntary bite force.
In living subjects, the cross-sections of the masseter and medial pterygoid muscles can be visualized with CT and MRI. Compared with CT, MRI has some advantages, such as the absence of adverse effects (no radiation) and the excellent soft-tissue imaging. Furthermore, a series of frontal, horizontal, sagittal, and angulated MRI scans can be made without modification of the patient's position, facilitating reconstruction of the jaw muscles.
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