II. Physiology: Temporomandibular Synovial joint

  1. Condylar process of Mandible articulates with mandibular fossa (part of Temporal Bone)
    1. Contains articular disk which allows for smooth hinge and sliding motion
      1. Disc is attached to posterior fossa via retrodiscal tendons, vessels and nerves
    2. Immediately anterior to external acoustic meatus
      1. Joint may be palpated from within ear canal
  2. Joint lined by avascular and non-innervated fibrous connective tissue
    1. Resists degeneration better than hyaline cartilage lined joints
    2. Joint Pain originates from joint capsule and adjacent Muscle
  3. Mastication Muscles support the Temporomandibular Joint
    1. Medial pterygoid Muscle
    2. Lateral pterygoid Muscle
    3. Temporalis Muscle
    4. Masseter Muscle
    5. Buccinator Muscle

III. Associated Conditions

IV. Anatomy: Images

  1. Mandible and TMJ
    1. entMandibleBoneGrayBB176.gifLewis (1918) Gray's Anatomy 20th ed (in public domain at Yahoo or BartleBy)
    2. entMandibleBoneGrayBB177.gifLewis (1918) Gray's Anatomy 20th ed (in public domain at Yahoo or BartleBy)
    3. entMandibleBoneBirthGrayBB182.gifLewis (1918) Gray's Anatomy 20th ed (in public domain at Yahoo or BartleBy)
    4. entMandibleBoneChildGrayBB183.gifLewis (1918) Gray's Anatomy 20th ed (in public domain at Yahoo or BartleBy)
    5. entMandibleBoneAdultGrayBB184.gifLewis (1918) Gray's Anatomy 20th ed (in public domain at Yahoo or BartleBy)
    6. entMandibleBoneOldGrayBB185.gifLewis (1918) Gray's Anatomy 20th ed (in public domain at Yahoo or BartleBy)
    7. entJawTmjGrayBB309.gifLewis (1918) Gray's Anatomy 20th ed (in public domain at Yahoo or BartleBy)
    8. entJawTmjGrayBB310.gifLewis (1918) Gray's Anatomy 20th ed (in public domain at Yahoo or BartleBy)
    9. entJawTmjGrayBB311.gifLewis (1918) Gray's Anatomy 20th ed (in public domain at Yahoo or BartleBy)
    10. entJawBonesGrayBB995.gifLewis (1918) Gray's Anatomy 20th ed (in public domain at Yahoo or BartleBy)
  2. Muscles of Mastication
    1. entPharynxMusclesGrayBB1030.gifLewis (1918) Gray's Anatomy 20th ed (in public domain at Yahoo or BartleBy)
    2. entPterygoidGrayBB383.gifLewis (1918) Gray's Anatomy 20th ed (in public domain at Yahoo or BartleBy)

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