What is the temporomandibular joint?
The TMJ is the joint that joins the lower jaw (the mandible) with the temporal bone at the side of the skull. It is located just to the front of your ear, on each side of your head. The joint is lined with a slippery, rubbery tissue called cartilage, which allows the joint to glide smoothly up and down and from side to side, so you can chew, talk, and yawn without giving it a thought. To feel your TMJ at work, put your index finger on the hard triangular tissue next to the front of your ear opening. Press down as you open and close your mouth; the movement you feel is the produced by the TMJ and the surrounding muscles.
