Articulation of the Mandible

Editor-In-Chief: Prab R Tumpati, MD
Obesity, Sleep & Internal medicine
Founder, WikiMD Wellnesspedia &
W8MD medical weight loss NYC and sleep center NYC
Anatomy > Gray's Anatomy of the Human Body > III. Syndesmology > 5d. Articulation of the Mandible

Henry Gray (1821–1865). Anatomy of the Human Body. 1918.

Articulation of the Mandible

(Articulatio mandibularis; Temporomandibular articulation)

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is a modified ginglymoarthrodial joint—exhibiting both hinge-like and gliding movements. It connects the mandible to the temporal bone of the skull, specifically between:

• The condylar process of the mandible below, and
• The mandibular fossa and articular tubercle of the temporal bone above.

Ligaments

The TMJ is stabilized and supported by several key ligaments:

• Articular capsule
• Temporomandibular ligament (external lateral ligament)
• Sphenomandibular ligament
• Stylomandibular ligament
• Articular disk (fibrocartilaginous meniscus)

Articular Capsule

The joint is enclosed by a thin, loose capsule, attached:

• Superiorly: To the margins of the mandibular fossa and the articular tubercle.
• Inferiorly: To the neck of the mandibular condyle.

Articulation of the mandible, lateral view (Gray's Anatomy, 1918)

Temporomandibular Ligament

Also known as the external lateral ligament, it consists of short, obliquely arranged fibers that:

• Extend from the lower border and lateral surface of the zygomatic arch
• To the lateral surface and posterior margin of the neck of the mandible.

It is covered by the parotid gland and superficial tissues.

Sphenomandibular Ligament

Sphenomandibular ligament (Gray's Anatomy, 1918)

The sphenomandibular ligament is a flat band that:

• Originates from the spine of the sphenoid bone
• Inserts on the lingula of the mandibular foramen

It is located between the lateral pterygoid and medial pterygoid muscles, with the inferior alveolar nerve and vessels passing between the ligament and the ramus of the mandible.

Stylomandibular Ligament

This is a thickened band of the deep cervical fascia:

• Extends from the styloid process of the temporal bone to the angle and posterior border of the mandible
• Lies between the masseter and medial pterygoid muscles

It separates the parotid gland from the submandibular gland and gives rise to some fibers of the styloglossus.

Articular Disk

Articular disk (meniscus) of the TMJ (Gray's Anatomy, 1918)

The joint contains an interposed fibrocartilaginous structure, the articular disk:

• Superior surface: Concavo-convex to match the mandibular fossa and articular tubercle
• Inferior surface: Concave, fitting the condyle

The periphery is thicker and blends with the capsule. The disk divides the joint into two synovial cavities (upper and lower), each with its own synovial membrane.

The anterior portion of the disk is connected to the lateral pterygoid muscle.

Synovial Membranes

• The upper synovial membrane is between the mandibular fossa and the disk.
• The lower synovial membrane is between the disk and the condyle of the mandible.

Sometimes, the disk is perforated in the center, allowing communication between the two joint cavities.

Nerve and Blood Supply

• Nerve supply: Auriculotemporal nerve and masseteric nerve (branches of the mandibular nerve, CN V3)
• Arterial supply: Primarily from the superficial temporal artery (a branch of the external carotid artery)

Movements of the Temporomandibular Joint

Movements at the TMJ include:

• Depression and elevation (opening and closing the mouth)
• Protrusion and Retrusion (forward and backward gliding)
• Lateral excursion (side-to-side movement)

There are two separate joints:

• Between the condyle and the disk (hinge)
• Between the disk and the mandibular fossa (gliding)

Biomechanics

• During slight opening (e.g., talking), motion is limited to the hinge joint.
• During wide opening (e.g., yawning), the disk and condyle glide forward onto the articular tubercle.

Movements include:

• Gliding forward on both sides for protrusion
• Alternating anterior-posterior movement during chewing (grinding motion)

Muscles Involved

• Depression: Digastric, Mylohyoid, Geniohyoid, assisted by gravity
• Elevation: Masseter, Medial pterygoid, Temporalis (anterior fibers)
• Protrusion: Lateral pterygoid, assisted by medial pterygoid
• Retrusion: Posterior fibers of temporalis, deep masseter
• Lateral movement: Alternating action of the pterygoid muscles on each side

Clinical Relevance

• Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJD)
• Dislocation of the mandible
• Internal derangement due to damage to the articular disk or ligaments
• Degenerative changes: osteoarthritis, disk thinning

See Also

• Mandible
• Cranial bones
• Temporalis muscle
• Pterygoid muscles
• Temporomandibular joint disorder
• Mastication

Gray's Anatomy

• Gray's Anatomy Contents
• Gray's Anatomy Subject Index
• About Classic Gray's Anatomy
• Glossary of anatomy terms

Anatomy atlases (external)

[1] - Anatomy Atlases

Adapted from the Classic Grays Anatomy of the Human Body 1918 edition (public domain)