Mucogingival Junction
Pronunciation: myoo-koh-JIN-jih-val JUNK-shun
Also written as: MGJ — Mucogingival Junction
The anatomical line that demarcates the attached gingiva from the looser, more vascular alveolar mucosa.
Full Definition
The mucogingival junction (MGJ) is a clinically visible boundary running horizontally along the alveolar process, separating the keratinised attached gingiva (firm, stippled tissue) from the non-keratinised alveolar mucosa (redder, more mobile tissue). Identifying the MGJ is essential in measuring the width of keratinised gingiva and in planning mucogingival surgery. Editors should note that the MGJ does not exist on the palate, where keratinised tissue extends across the entire palatal surface without transition to alveolar mucosa.
Usage
Usage note: Do not confuse with the 'cementoenamel junction' (CEJ), which is a tooth-surface landmark, not a soft-tissue boundary.
In Context
- "The gingival recession extended to the mucogingival junction, indicating a total loss of attached gingiva at the involved site." — Clinical examination report
- "Surgical intervention was indicated as probing depths extended beyond the mucogingival junction into the alveolar mucosa." — Treatment planning note