Temporomandibular joint

The temporomandibular joint (lat. articulatio temporomandibularis, synonym - mandibular joint) is a paired joint connecting the lower jaw (lower jaw) with the temporal bone of the skull. This is a complex joint consisting of two separate joints - right and left.

The joint is formed by the articular surfaces of the head of the lower jaw (condyle) and the articular fossa of the temporal bone. Between the articular surfaces there is a cartilage pad - an articular disc, dividing the joint cavity into two sections - upper and lower. The disc serves to evenly distribute the load on all areas of the articular surfaces.

The joint allows movements of the lower jaw - opening and closing the mouth (biting), forward and sideways movements (chewing).

Thus, the temporomandibular joint plays an important role in the functioning of the dental system and the implementation of such important processes as speech and eating.

The temporomandibular joint is the articulation of the bones of the skull with the lower jaw. The anatomy of the joint allows the lower jaw to move freely, despite its considerable size and strength. Therefore, this joint is capable of solving a wide variety of problems of the articulatory apparatus.

It consists of two condyles of the lower jaw, covered by a capsule, and the occipital eminence of the temporal bone, to which the joint capsule is directly attached. The ligamentous apparatus is represented by the intercondylar ligament, which supports the position of the articular head on the condyles of the mandible.

The articulating surfaces of the mandibular condyle form the