temporomandibular joint

noun

plural temporomandibular joints

: the freely moveable joint connecting the temporal bone and mandible that allows for the opening, closing, protrusion, retraction, and lateral movement of the mandible

The temporomandibular joints are more complex than most joints in the body. When the mouth opens and closes, the ends of the mandible don't simply rotate like hinges. As the jaw opens, the knob-like ends … of the mandible first rotate, but then they slide forward … along the curving lower edges of the temporal bones.

—Jack Klatell et al.

If you feel pain in your jaw while chewing, have restricted mouth opening, and/or hear clicking noises where the jaw bone connects with the skull—the temporomandibular joint (TMJ)—you're not alone.

—Food & Fitness Advisor

—abbreviation TMJ see also temporomandibular joint disorder

Word History

First Known Use

1889, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for temporomandibular joint

• adjoint
• anoint
• appoint
• checkpoint
• conjoint
• disjoint
• endpoint
• gunpoint
• midpoint
• nonpoint
• pinpoint
• standpoint

Medical Definition

temporomandibular joint

noun

: the diarthrosis between the temporal bone and mandible that includes the condyloid process below separated by an articular disc from the glenoid fossa above and that allows for the opening, closing, protrusion, retraction, and lateral movement of the mandible

—abbreviation TMJ