TMJ
Mandible meets skull
TMJ stands for temporomandibular joint—the hinge connecting the jawbone to the skull, located just in front of each ear.
In casual use, TMJ usually refers to temporomandibular joint disorder, a condition causing jaw pain, clicking, or difficulty chewing: My TMJ has been acting up lately.
Doctors prefer the term TMD for the disorder itself.
Abnormal or unhealthy operation
- syndromeLinked symptoms forming pattern
- clickingMaking short sharp sounds
- poppingShort explosive sound
- crepitusCrackling from friction inside
locking · deviation · dislocation · derangement · osteoarthritis · ankylosis · hypermobility · effusion
Involuntary jaw clenching
- clenchingSqueezing tightly shut
- grindingMolar action sometimes
- stressPressure, mental or vocal
- traumaLasting psychological wound
arthritis · malocclusion · whiplash · posture · tension · anxiety · hyperextension · injury
Bodily or emotional distress
- achePersistent dull discomfort
- tendernessGentle, caring quality
- stiffnessResistance to deformation
- sorenessTender, painful sensation
swelling · inflammation · radiating · headache · earache · tinnitus · lockjaw
Shared by multiple parties
- condyleRounded articular bone projection
- discFlat circular object
- fossaAnatomical depression or hollow
- eminenceElevated rank or renown
capsule · synovial · ligament · masseter · temporalis · meniscus · glenoid · cartilage
Device immobilizing injured limbs
- nightguardOral appliance preventing bruxism
- mouthguardProtective dental insert
- massageSoft tissue manipulation
- arthroscopyMinimally invasive joint procedure
injection · corticosteroid · botox · anti-inflammatory · orthodontics · surgery · stretching · exercises
dysfunction
Abnormal or unhealthy operation
- syndromeLinked symptoms forming pattern
- clickingMaking short sharp sounds
- poppingShort explosive sound
crepitus · locking · deviation · dislocation · derangement · osteoarthritis · ankylosis · hypermobility · effusion · adhesion
bruxism
Involuntary jaw clenching
trauma · arthritis · malocclusion · whiplash · posture · tension · anxiety · hyperextension · injury · degenerative
pain
Bodily or emotional distress
- achePersistent dull discomfort
- tendernessGentle, caring quality
- stiffnessResistance to deformation
soreness · swelling · inflammation · radiating · headache · earache · tinnitus · lockjaw
joint
Shared by multiple parties
- condyleRounded articular bone projection
- discFlat circular object
- fossaAnatomical depression or hollow
eminence · capsule · synovial · ligament · masseter · temporalis · meniscus · glenoid · cartilage · bilaminar
splint
Device immobilizing injured limbs
- nightguardOral appliance preventing bruxism
- mouthguardProtective dental insert
- massageSoft tissue manipulation
arthroscopy · injection · corticosteroid · botox · anti-inflammatory · orthodontics · surgery · stretching · exercises
- skull jointscoronal suture, lambdoid suture
- body ailmentsback pain, neck pain, joint pain, muscle pain, sciatica
- jointsbutt joint, corner joint, knee, elbow, ankle
- mouth anatomytongue, teeth, palate, lips, gums
- Head and Neck Ailmentsheadache, neck pain, sore throat, earache, tonsillitis
- facial painfacial pain, jaw pain, toothache, dental pain, jaw ache
Upper vertebral column segment
neck · hip joint · knee joint · lumbar spine · coccyx
- TMJ disorderJaw joint malfunction
temporomandibular, temporal, mandibular, mandible, temple, temples, mandibles