Without it, chewing would be impossible: the temporomandibular joint connects the temporal bone with the lower jaw. In case of disorders, not only pain often occurs, but also the movement is usually restricted. So that the discomfort does not affect the quality of life of the affected person, a doctor should be consulted quickly.
What is the temporomandibular joint?
In addition to muscles, joints are also responsible for the mobility of limbs and other parts of the body. These connect two bones together and differentiate into different subtypes. The temporomandibular joint is a rotating and sliding joint. It connects the lower jaw with the skull. The joint makes it possible for the parts to coordinate their functions. In addition, muscles are necessary so that the opening and closing of the mouth can be realized. In the interaction between the joint and the muscles, the temporomandibular joint can fulfill its tasks. Central to this is the intake and comminution of food. Diseases or disorders in the region of the temporomandibular joint often result in pain. The temporomandibular joint has a complex structure. If complaints arise, diagnosis can be time-consuming. This is another reason why it is important to have existing pain clarified within a short time window.
Anatomy and structure
The temporomandibular joint is directly connected to the rest of the skull. The socket of the joint is located in front of the auditory canal. It is connected to the temporal bone and is bounded by a bone. In contrast to the socket of the joint is the mandibular button. This is a bony process of the lower jaw. In order to ensure its function, the glenoid cavity accommodates the condyle. In addition, these are separated from each other by a cartilage. The cartilage disc differentiates the joint into two chambers: an upper chamber and a lower chamber. The joint surfaces and the joint cavity also have a thin layer of cartilage. This is responsible for ensuring that the movement of the joint can take place smoothly. If it did not exist, severe pain would result. A viscous synovial fluid is also produced for optimal gliding. In addition, the entire joint is contained within a joint capsule. It can be easily palpated by placing the fingers just before the beginning of the ear. As soon as the mouth opens and closes, the joint protrudes minimally and can thus be perceived from the outside.
Function and tasks
The temporomandibular joints represent the connection between the upper and lower jaw. They already play an important role in everyday life. They are partly responsible for enabling people to speak and swallow. The movements of the temporomandibular joint help to break down the food that is ingested. Only in this way is it possible to eat larger foods or bite off an apple. In order for the temporomandibular joint to function properly, all of its elements must be coordinated with each other and perform their various tasks. In the case of the temporomandibular joint, this primarily involves the socket, the joint corpuscles and the musculature. The complex interaction of the individual parts enables different movements of the entire lower jaw. Thus, in certain situations, saggital translation can occur when the mandible is pushed forward. As soon as the mandible is pushed in this direction, both articular processes emerge from the joint cavity. At the same time, the mandible can be pushed to either side. During such a movement, one articular process is in the joint track, while the other remains in the joint cavity, where it is responsible for the actual rotational movement. When the mouth opens, this is referred to as transverse rotation. Neither articular process leaves the articular fossa. Only when the mouth is moved and opened beyond a certain degree, it is possible for the condyles to leave the articular fossa. In such a case, they move along the joint track. The temporomandibular joint is considered the most complex in the human body. In this regard, it is responsible for a variety of tasks.
Diseases and complaints
The importance of the temporomandibular joint is often forgotten in everyday life. Only when complaints occur and the function is limited in the course of the disease, many people notice the different disciplines in which the joint plays a role.Different causes can be responsible for the complaints. The temporomandibular joint is designed in such a way that when the two rows of teeth lie on top of each other, the rod ends should lie in the socket. If this is not the case due to a malposition, the joint tries to compensate for the individual conditions. In most cases, this results in pain in the area of the jaw. Different conditions can be to blame for the one-sided load. In the case of an uneven tooth position or individual teeth that are longer than the rest, the upper and lower jaws can already no longer lie optimally on top of each other. As with any joint, the temporomandibular joint cannot escape arthritic inflammation. In addition, arthrosis can occur. This is a wear and tear of the joint. The protective cartilage is worn away, causing the joint surfaces to rub against each other. Arthrosis is usually associated with severe pain. In addition to inflammatory diseases and malpositions, patients increasingly report TMJ clicking. This can be due to a displacement of the intercartilaginous disc or an overbite. In an overbite, the anterior teeth are positioned steeply above the lower row of teeth, the freedom of movement of the temporomandibular joint is restricted, and in some situations a cracking sound occurs in the joint. As soon as the jaw head leaves the socket, jaw locking occurs. The mouth can no longer be closed.
