Gallery of TMJ Images

The temporomandibular joint, or TMJ, is where the pivot end of the jaw (the condyle of the mandible) rotates in the skull.

Figure 1 -- This is a picture of the jaw and skull together.

Figure 2 -- This picture shows the pivot point of the jaw called the condyle.

Figure 3 -- This is the bottom and top view of the jaw

Figure 4 -- This picture shows a closer look at the TMJ. Note that the jaw pivot does not touch the skull bone directly. There is a pad called the meniscus separating them.

Figure 5a -- This is a magnetic resonance image (MRI) of a normal TMJ. The miniscus (m) is in place above the condyle (C). The eminence (E) is a part of the skull that sticks out and makes a place for the condyle.

Figure 5b -- This is a drawing of figure 5a, which shows a clearer picture of the image. AC is the auditory canal.

Figure 6a -- An MRI of an abnormal TMJ. The meniscus has popped out of place so now the condyle is coming in contact with the skull bone. This is what my TMJ looked like before I started wearing my bite plate. The popping noise occurred when the popped out of place.

Figure 6b -- This is a drawing of figure 6a.

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The next three pictures show tests the TMJ specialist does to locate the problems that cause the pain. The middle picture, for example, shows how they check the jaw for when it makes the noises.