Which statement is true about bite test interpretation?

• A. Ipsilateral = joint; Contralateral = muscle
• B. Ipsilateral = muscle; Contralateral = joint
• C. Ipsilateral = nerve; Contralateral = brain
• D. Ipsilateral = bone; Contralateral = cartilage

Answer: (B)

Bite test interpretation hinges on which side’s bite provokes the pain, because biting primarily loads different structures on each side. When a patient bites down on the same side as the pain, the jaw muscles on that side are actively engaged; if this reproduces pain, it points to a muscular (myogenous) origin. Conversely, biting on the opposite side places more load on the temporomandibular joint on that side; if pain is elicited there, it suggests a joint (arthritic/derangement) origin. So the pattern is that the side of the bite that reproduces muscle-type pain is the ipsilateral side, while the side that elicits joint-type pain is the contralateral side. Nerves, brain, bone, or cartilage aren’t the primary drivers assessed by this test.