Trifid mandibular condyle: An outlier from normal physiology with review.

A complicated skeletal structure, the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), is necessary for the jaw to function normally. The mandibular condyle and its associated tissues can grow abnormally unilaterally or bilaterally for a variety of reasons. A rare and unusual anatomical variant known as trifid mandibular condyle (TMC) occurs when the condyle's head is divided into three separate heads by grooves of varying depths. The bifid variety, which is distinguished by the duplication of the mandibular condyle, is the subject of the majority of the work now in publication. We present a unique case of this rare morphological variation of the trifid mandibular condyle and review the present literature. It can be unilateral, with a predominance on the left side, or a less common bilateral form. Three separate heads make up the trifid mandibular condyle. Some facial asymmetry is caused by the trifid mandibular condyle; however, TMJ function may be almost normal.