Anatom3DArticular capsule of temporomandibular joint
Capsula articularis articulationis temporomandibularis · Kloubní pouzdro čelistního kloubu
Joints & cartilage
Looks like
A loose fibrous sleeve around the jaw joint, just in front of the ear, running from the skull base to the neck of the jaw bone.
What it does
Encloses the joint and its lubricating fluid, and lets the jaw both hinge and slide forward when the mouth opens wide.
Keeping it well
Inflamed by clenching, grinding or arthritis, giving pain in front of the ear. A jaw that locks open after a yawn needs prompt reduction.
Related conditions
- Achondroplasia
- Brain abscess
- Gout
- Haemophilia & bleeding disorders
- Lyme disease
- Marfan syndrome & connective tissue disorders
- Osteoarthritis
- Psoriatic arthritis
- Rheumatic fever & rheumatic heart disease
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Systemic lupus erythematosus
- Teeth grinding (bruxism)
- Temporomandibular joint disorder
- Traumatic brain injury (moderate to severe)