Experimentelle Untersuchungen über die ätiologischen Faktoren dysfunktioneller Erkrankungen des Bewegungsapparates am Beispiel des stomatognathen Systems

Summary

Dysfunctional diseases of the jaw and facial area (myoarthropathies) have a diverse and complex etiopathogenesis. The main elements involved are muscular hypertonia and muscular hyperactivity, together with the accompanying long-term, non-physiological strain both placed on the tissues. For lasting muscular hypertonia to appear that is intense enough to cause disease, several factors must be present.

Psychic factors — stress in particular — are of special interest. A state of tension that is triggered in the organism by stressors of any kind, and known as stress, manifests itself through an increase in the activity of many organ systems.

The muscles display psychically-stimulated hyperactivity and hypertonia. The close links between the structures of the limbic system and the gamma-anterior cornual cells play a crucial role. Stimulation of the gamma-motoric neurons increases muscle tone and lowers the stimulus threshold to reflexes. The muscle spindles, which constitute adjustable tension receptors (proprioreceptors), are the deciding influence.

The somatic phenomena set off by stressors permit the organism to adjust continually to new situations, to adapt, in other words. The situation of biological stress must end in due course, however. The functional balance of the organ systems must return to normal in time. When that is not the case, i.e., when the organism is subjected to constant stress, all the organs function inadequately. Damage can be caused. A situation where the muscles are under continued strain, for example, will lead to tendomyopathy.