The temporomandibular joint
connects the lower jaw, called the mandible, to the temporal bone at the side of the head. Each time you chew, speak and
even swallow, you move the TMJ. It is one of the joints in your body that is most frequently used. It responds to injuries
much like your ankle does. Injuries causes inflammation, causing the joint to swell, stretching pain sensitive nerves within
the joint capsule.
The TMJ joint can be felt with your hands by pressing your fingertips immediately in front of your ears on each side of your face. Open and close your mouth and you will feel the TMJ joint in motion. The joints are flexible, which allow us to chew, speak, yawn and move our mouth smoothly up and down and side to side. The muscles that attach to the joint control its position and movement.
Possible causes are:
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