TMJ Flashcards
Aka TMJ
Temporomandibular Joint
A joint on each side of the head that allows for movement of the mandible for mastication, speech, and respiratory movements
TMJ
The TMJ is a joint that is on each side of the head that allows for movement of the mandible for
mastication, speech, and respiratory movements
Most complex set of joints in the body
TMJ
The TMJ is the articulation of the
temporal bone and the mandible
The articulating area of the TMJ is located on the
inferior aspect of the temporal bone
• The articulating area of the TMJ is located on the inferior aspect of the temporal bone
• The articulating area includes____
the articular eminence and the articular fossa of the temporal bone
What is the articular eminence or tubercle?
a smooth-surfaced rounded protuberance on the inferior aspect of the zygomatic process and is positioned anterior to the articular fossa
What is the articular fossa?
posterior to the articular eminence; it is a depression on the inferior aspect of the temporal bone; it is also posterior and medial to the zygomatic arch.
Posterior to the articular fossa is a sharper ridge, called the
the postglenoid process or postglenoid tubercle
The mandible articulates with each temporal bone at the
head of each mandibular condyle
The growth center for the mandible is located in
the head of each mandibular condyle
This is considered to be the last growth center of bone in the body, meaning it continues to grow later in life compared to most other bones
growth center for the mandible at the head of the mandibular condyle
The TMJ is what type of joint?
The TMJ is a synovial joint
The TMJ is a synovial joint. It is a _____with a ______ and is lined by a
It is a freely movable joint with a joint capsule and is lined by a synovial membrane
What is a Joint capsule?
a thin, fibrous capsule that surrounds the joint
The synovial membrane of the joint capsule of the TMJ secretes____ allowing for smooth movement between the articulating bones of the jaw and the skull
synovial fluid,
Synovial fluid allows for
smooth movement between the articulating bones of the jaw and the skull
What is synovial fluid?
Synovial fluid is a thick substance that fills the TMJ, lubricating it
The mandible is joined to the cranium by
ligaments of the TMJ
A ligament is a
band of fibrous tissue that connects bones
There are how many ligaments associated with the TMJ?
three paired ligaments
What the three paired ligaments associated with the TMJ?
Temporomandibular ligament
Stylomandibular ligament
Sphenomandibular ligament
What is located on each side between the temporal bone and the condyle of the mandible
A joint disk
The joint disc divides the TMJ into___
two compartments
The joint disc divides the TMJ into two compartments. These two compartments are
the upper and lower synovial cavities
Two basic types of movement of the mandible are performed by the TMJ (with the help of the muscles of mastication). What are the two movements
Gliding and rotational
Gliding movement occurs mainly between the
disc and the articular eminence of the temporal bone in the upper synovial cavity
Gliding movement allows the lower jaw to
move forward and backward (protrusion and retraction of the mandible)
Rotational movement occurs mainly between the
disc and the mandibular condyle in the lower synovial cavity
Rotational movement allows the jaw to
raise and lower (elevation and depression of the mandible)
Lateral deviation of the mandible involves
both gliding and rotational movements
What is TMD?
TMD - Temporomandibular disorder. Patients may present with a disorder associated with one or both of their
TMJs
Patients with TMD may experience
Chronic joint tenderness
Swelling
Painful muscle spasms
Headaches
Difficulty opening/closing/deviating their jaw
How do we examine the TMJ?
palpating just anterior to each ear feeling for the articulation of the temporal bone and the mandible on each side of the head
___aid in diagnosis of TMD
Radiographs and CBCT
An acute episode of TMD can occur when a patient
opens too wide, causing subluxation and trismus
What is Subluxation?
partial dislocation. The head of the condyle moves too far anteriorly past the articular eminence
What is Trismus?
inability to normally open the mouth
