The jaw joint
Temporomandibular joint · articulatio temporomandibularis
The hinge-and-slide joint just in front of each ear where your jaw meets your skull.
What it does
Each jaw joint links the lower jaw to the temporal bone just in front of the ear. A small disc of cartilage inside lets the jaw both hinge and slide forward, which it must do to open the mouth wide. Put your fingers in front of your ears and open your mouth to feel it move.
Surprising fact
When you open your mouth wide, the head of the jaw slides forward out of its socket onto a bony bump, which is why yawning too widely can occasionally dislocate the jaw.
Why it matters
Jaw clicking, aching and headaches are common and are often linked to clenching or grinding. Rest, soft food and relaxing the jaw usually help.
Nearby
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Sources
Drafted with AI help; awaiting a human fact-check against these sources.
Open in the 3D atlas · Suggest a correction · Not medical advice.
3D models: Z-Anatomy & BodyParts3D (CC BY-SA 4.0 / 2.1 JP). Card text CC BY 4.0.