Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Anatomy, Fibrocartilage Articulation, Ligaments, Masticatory Muscles, Mandibular Motions (Elevation, Depression, Protrusion, Retraction), Dysfunction Signs, Displacement Patterns, Pain, Clicking, Otalgia, Bruxism, Osteopathic

Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Anatomy, Fibrocartilage Articulation, Ligaments, Masticatory Muscles, Mandibular Motions (Elevation, Depression, Protrusion, Retraction), Dysfunction Signs, Displacement Patterns, Pain, Clicking, Otalgia, Bruxism, Osteopathic Manipulative Treatments, Muscle Energy, Counterstrain, V-Spread, Unilateral Temporal Rocking Techniques, Cranial Osteopathy Approaches, Functional Assessment, Clinical Evaluation, Therapeutic Interventions Questions Provided with A+ Graded RATIONALES LATEST UPDATED 2026 Synovial Joint What type of joint is the TMJ? -Head of Mandible -Articular tubercle of the temporal bone -Mandibular fossa of the temporal bone TMJ is formed by what three things? Fibrocartilage the TMJ is covered by what type of cartilage? One between the ramus of the mandible and the articular disc One between the disc and the temporal bone fossa Each TMJ is actially two joints on each side... describe those two joints? Lateral Ligament Attaches the mandible to the zygomatic arch on the lateral aspect of the TMJ Helps strengthen the joint capsule Sphenomandibular Ligament Attaches the medial aspect of the mandible (lingula) to the spine of the sphenoid on the medial aspect of the TMJ Helps strengthen the joint capsule Stylomandibular Ligament Attaches the angle of the mandible to the styloid process of the temporal bone on the medial aspect of the TMJ Purpose of this ligament is unknown Lateral Pterygoid Muscle Medial Pterygoid Muscle Masticatory Muscle Sling Masseter Masseter Muscle that elevates the mandible, also protracts, retracts and helps with lateral movements Lateral Pterygoid Muscle that depresses the mandible, also helps with protrusion and lateral movements Temporalis -anterior fibers elevate -posterior fibers retract the jaw Medial Pterygoid -muscle that elevates the mandible and helps with lateral and protrusive movements Digastric muscle that depresses the mandible Mylohyoid muscle that depresses the mandible when hyoid is fixed Depression opening of the mouth from rest Depression What TMJ Motion: -Suprahyoid and infrahyoid muscles contract, moving the head of the mandible and the articular disc anteriorly Elevation What TMJ Motion: -Temporalis (vertical fibers), masseter and medial pterygoid muscles contract, pulling the head of the mandible and the articular disc posteriorly; very powerful movement Protrusion What TMJ Motion: -Masseter, lateral pterygoid and medial pterygoids contract, causing the head of the mandible to glide anteriorly but the articular disc to slide posteriorly Retraction What TMJ Motion: -Temporalis (horizontal fibers) and masseter contract to pull the head of the mandible posteriorly and slide the articular disc anteriorly Elevation closing of the mouth to rest Protrusion carrying the mandible forward from rest Retraction carrying the mandible back to rest Pain & clicking with mandibular motion Tenderness to palpation