## 4 Discussion  
This study presents a comprehensive analysis of the condyle-fossa relationship in adult patients with various skeletal patterns using CBCT. These findings expand upon previous research with adolescents. Adults undergo various changes due to age, gender, and skeletal morphology. The results from this study show variations in condylar morphology, TMJ spaces, and condylar asymmetry. These findings are consistent with previous research studying anatomical differences across different sagittal and vertical skeletal classifications [1, 4, 5]. The hypodivergent group displayed the largest SS, CS, and MLT, which aligns with previous studies [6, 9]. [PERSON] et al. [6] reported that hyperdivergent individuals are prone to show reduced condylar volumes and greater joint spaces, especially in the superior aspect of the joint. These morphological changes in TMJ most likely resulted from altered functional loading patterns among hyperdivergent individuals, which may result in compensatory changes in the condyle and fossa. This was further supported by [PERSON] et al. [9]. They suggested that hyperdivergent Class II adults had significantly reduced condylar volumes and altered condylar positioning compared to hypodivergent and normovergent individuals. This may suggest greater susceptibility to TMJ pathologies resulting from mechanical stress and functional alterations in the condylar structure [6.9]. Further research is necessary to investigate whether these morphological characteristics are likely to increase the risk of TMDs. Males had larger joint spaces in the multiple areas studied (AS, SS, PS, MS, CS, LS, VHF, and MLT) compared to females. Within subject differences, LS showed a significant difference between males and females. Other research reported that males tend to have larger MLT and condylar fossa dimensions than females [2]. Larger condylar dimensions and joint spaces in males may enhance functional adaptations and decrease the risks of TMDs. Conversely, females exhibit a higher susceptibility to TMDs, potentially due to hormonal effects during menstruation or menopause on joint remodeling and muscle functions [2, 16]. Our findings suggest that the TMJ remodeling process or degeneration may be age-dependent. The late age group showed a significant increase in APT compared to younger groups, possibly due to osseous changes in TMJ space, such as condylar flattening and osteophyte formation of the condyle [17]. In addition, participants aged 40 years and older displayed trends of a flatter articular slope, a lower vertical height, and a narrower lateral \begin{table}
\begin{tabular}{c c c c c c c c c} \hline \multirow{4}{*}{Coronal view} & MS (mm) & 3.73\({}^{\rm\,\AA}\) & 0.71 & 3.18\({}^{\rm\,\AA}\) & 0.97 & 2.82\({}^{\rm\,\AA}\) & 0.64 & 0.107/\({}^{\rm\,n^{2}}\) = 0.02 \\  & CS (mm) & 4.55\({}^{\rm\,\AA}\) & 1.05 & 3.50\({}^{\rm\,\AA}\) & 0.79 & 3.18\({}^{\rm\,\AA}\) & 0.80 & 0.036 \({}^{\rm\,\AA}\) /\({}^{\rm\,n^{2}}\) = 0.04 \\  & LS (mm) & 3.25\({}^{\rm\,\AA}\) & 1.29 & 2.49\({}^{\rm\,\AA}\) & 0.74 & 2.23\({}^{\rm\,\AA}\) & 0.47 & 0.179/\({}^{\rm\,n^{2}}\) = 0.01 \\  & \(p\)value/ & (0.039) \(\ast\) & \(<\)0.001 & & \(<\)0.001 & & \\  & Effect Size & KW = 0.81 & & KW = 0.30 & & KW = 0.75 & \\  & MLT (mm) & 21.05 \(\ast\) & 1.26 & 19.15\(\ast\) & 2.27 & 18.17\(\ast\) & 2.17 & 0.042 \({}^{\rm\,\AA}\) /\({}^{\rm\,n^{2}}\) = 0.03 \\ \hline \end{tabular}
\end{table} 
Table 4: \(Cont.\)space, although these differences did not reach statistical significance. Earlier studies noted that TMJ morphology continues to change with age, which results in TMJ alterations such as flattening or erosion of the condyles [2; 18]. The age-related findings emphasize age consideration when assessing TMJ morphology in clinical settings, as TMJ alterations may compromise TMJ function and elevate TMD risks [19]. The right and the left side of the condylar spaces presented asymmetries. Research conducted by [PERSON] et al.