A Review of Brodie’s Theory and a Reinterpretation of the Muscular Relationship between the Stomatognathic System and Posture (original) (raw)

2021, Acta Scientific Dental Scienecs

The muscular-physiology of the stomatognathic-postural system is a studied subject since 1940. Starting from the first considerations on the subject made by Dr A.G. Brodie, the authors of this review wanted to deepen the understanding of the connections and function of this complex system, which is made up of different interconnected systems. This review emphasises the importance of the link between mandibular posture and biomechanics and the biomechanics of the cervical spine through 5 main muscle groups: the hyoid muscles, the mastication muscles, the sub-occipital muscles, the cervical extensors and the flexor muscles of the neck. Therefore, the functional unit of the stomatognathic-postural system is a functional regulating unit, while various different systems (digestive, musculoskeletal, respiratory and psychological) carry out part of their activity through it. By Functional Regulating Unit we mean a system that is able to offset various bodily activities carried out within the same muscular-physiological unit of the organism within functional limits and which, without that system, could lead the human body to have an altered balance due to dysfunctions of one or more of these five muscle groups. The collaboration between the dentist and the therapist should, therefore, be based on the restoration of the correct neuro-muscular physiology of this Unit, where the dentist corrects the occlusal system and the therapist the muscular structures (five muscle groups, TMJ and upper cervical spine) system.

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