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


Bibliography

SNELL, Richard S. Clinical Anatomy by Regions. 8th Edition edition. 2004. ISBN 978-0-7817-6404-9.