Fundamentals of Dental Technology

Fundamentals of
Dental Technology

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1-5 TEMPORAL MANDIBULAR JOINT

The right and left temporal mandibular joints (TMJs) are formed by the articulation of the temporal bone and the mandible. This is where TMJs connect with the rest of the skull. Figure 1-13 illustrates the TMJ.

The mandible is joined to the cranium by ligaments of the temporal mandibularjoint (fig. 1-14).

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Figure 1-13.—Temporal mandibular joint.

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Figure 1-14.—Ligaments of a temporal mandibular joint.

The TMJ consists of three bony parts:

Glenoid fossa—Oval depression in the temporal bone that articulates with the mandibular condyle.
Articular eminence—Ramp-shaped segment of the temporal bone located anterior to the glenoid fossa.
Condyle—The knuckle-shaped portion of the mandibular ramus found on the end of the condyloid process. It is positioned underneath the glenoid fossa and makes up the hinge joint of the TMJ.

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