What is TMJ?
The letters TMJ are an acronym that stand for the words Temporo-Mandibular Joint. This is the joint that operates the opening and closing of your mouth. The joint is composed of a part of the skull called the Temporal bone, the lower jaw bone called the Mandible which is connected to the Temporal bone. Lying between the Temporal bone and the Mandible is a disc of cushioning material controlled by muscles and ligaments that help to open the mouth. . You can feel the joint by putting your index fingers just in front of your ears and opening and closing the jaw (mandible). The right and left side together comprise the TMJ. However, doctors often call the pain you feel around the joint when you are under tension and stress “TMJ”. They will tell you that “you have TMJ”. There are two basic kinds of TMJ problems: The first kind is related to pain that comes from some disorder of the parts inside the joint. This kind of disorder is much less common than the pain that originates in the muscles
