Temporomandibular joint - structure, movements

The temporomandibular joint connects the skull and the mandible together. This joint allows for important movements to be made by the jaw.

Overview

 * The upper part of the joint allows the head of the mandible to protrude onto the articular tubercle and retract back into the mandibular fossa
 * It is a condyloid synovial joint
 * The joint allows the jaw to open to more than 15°

Ligaments: sphenomandibular, stylomandibular and lateral ligaments

Movements

 * Depression by digastric, geniohyoid and mylohyoid muscles
 * Elevation by temporalis, masseter and medial pterygoid muscles
 * Protrusion by lateral and medial pterygoid muscles
 * Retraction by temporalis, masseter, digastric and geniohyoid muscles