The temporomandibular joints ( TMJ ) connect your lower jaw to your skull along each side of your head. When they work well, they enable you to talk and chew. The TMJ combines a hinge action with sliding motions. The parts of the bones that interact in the joint are covered with cartilage and are separated by a small disk, which normally keeps the movement smooth (Fig 1). For people with TMJ disorders (TMD), problems with the joint and muscles around it may cause: The stomatognathic system comprises various anatomical structures responsible for mouth opening, swallowing, breathing, phonation, sucking, and multiple facial expressions. These structures include the temporomandibular joint ( TMJ ), maxilla and mandible, associated muscles and tendons, dental arches, salivary glands, and the hyoid bone, as well as muscles connecting this bone to the scapula, sternum, and neck. What do we need to know about TMJ disorders? TMJ helps in opening and closing your mouth, enabling you to eat and speak. TMJ disorders are conditions, which affect the TMJ joint and its muscles. TMJ disorders cause severe pain, loss of mobility, and tenderness in the joints and associated muscles. The term temporomandibular disorders is an umbrella term for a group of musculoskeletal and neuromuscular conditions that involve the temporomandibular joint ( TMJ ), the masticatory muscles (eg, temporalis, masseter, and pterygoids), and the surrounding nerves and ligaments. Temporomandibular disorders (previously known as temporomandibular joint dysfunction or temporomandibular joint [ TMJ ] syndrome) often present with pain in the jaw, face, and neck and/or with dysfunction of the jaw joint ...
