Temporomandibular Joint
"TMJ" is short for temporomandibular joint, a complex set of joints which attaches the lower jaw to the skull.
The TMJ is:
Important for many activities:
- chewing
- talking
- swallowing
A very complex joint:
For the TMJ to work smoothly, muscles, bones, ligiments,and teeth must all work together. The TMJ allows your jaw to:
- open and close
- move side to side
- move forward and backward
It also affects the flexability of your neck and shoulders.
