Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) located just below the ear that connects the lower jaw

(mandible) to the maxilla (temporal bone). Temporomandibular joint is unique because of

bilateral and the joint is most used and most complex.

Kondil not in direct contact with the surface of the temporal bone, but separated by a smooth
disc, called the meniscus or discus artikulare. Diskus is not only hard bone role as a barrier but
also as a cushion that absorbs vibration and pressure transmitted through the joints.

Articular surface of the temporal bone consists of the fossa and eminence articulare artikulare.
Like the others, temporomandibular joints are also controlled by the muscles, especially chewing
muscles, located around the jaw and temporomandibular joint. These muscles include the
internal pterygoid muscle, pterygoid externa, mylomyoid, geniohyoid and digastrikus muscle.
Other muscles may also affect the temporomandibular joint function, such as the neck muscles,
shoulders, and back muscles.

Ligaments and tendons have function as a placard with to the muscle and bone with another
bone. Damage to the ligaments and tendons can change the temporomandibular joint work,
which affects the motion of opening and closing the mouth.

Normal TMJ Function

When the mouth opens, there are two movements in the joints. The first movement is rotation
around the horizontal axis on the kondil head. The second movement is translation. Kondil and
meniscus move forward together under the articular eminence. At the mouth closed position, the
posterior meniscus is thick immediately take place under the kondil. When kondil translating
forward, the thinner central region of the meniscus become the surface area of articulation
between kondil and articular eminence. When the mouth opened fully, kondil is under the
anterior meniscus.

Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction

Temporomandibular joint is very vulnerable to various types of damage resulting from the
outside, such as trauma, or from within, such as tumors or arthritis. Temporomandibular joint
dysfunction varies from mild to severe.

Some dysfunction causes problems in the use of temporomandibular joint, but some will not
cause problems. Severe dysfunction, such as the joints aren’t functioning, can cause pain and
possible surgery action.
Causes of TMD

Trauma is the leading cause of TMD. According to the Journal of the American Dental
Association 1990, 40% to 99% of cases of TMD is the result of trauma. Trauma as simple as a
stroke to the jaw or something more complex like that on the head, neck and jaw. Recent
research also shows the impact on safety "airbag" in the vehicle can cause TMD.

Every joint in the body has limited movement. If the jaw is opened too big in the long term or
forced open, the ligaments could be torn. Even when the jaw is opened as normal, there is a
partial dislocation of the temporomandibular joint. However, if the jaw is opened beyond the
normal boundaries, dislocations appear or separator discs can be damaged.
 
TMD symptoms including ear pain, jaw muscle ache, pain in the forehead or, cliking, locked
jaw, difficulty opening the mouth, head and neck pain.

Temporomandibular joint radiographic examination

There are several techniques to diagnose a joint disorder ranging from ordinary X-ray images to MRI.

Several studies have shown that MRI demonstrated disc dislocation related with cliking, pain and other
symptoms of Temporomandibular joint dysfunction. Every time kliis pain and temporomandibular joint
dysfunction symptoms was found without dislocations discs on MRI ,suspected diagnosis was false
positive or false negative.

Although several studies agree that muscle pain is one of the main aspects of TMJ disorders, evidence of
pathological changes in mastication muscles are not accounted in imaging diagnostic. Some reports
indicate MRI not only is an accurate method for detecting the position of the discus but also a potential
technique to evaluate pathological changes in mastication bibs on Temporomandibular joint disorder.
However, there are no reports linking chewing muscle abnormalities on MRI with clinical symptoms.

Most studies agree that the temporomandibular disorder can not be done only by clinical examination.
imaging diagnosis is important to establish the diagnosis.

From the statement above, it is clear that radiographic examination is an important examination for
diagnosing temporomandibular joint abnormalities. Therefore, it is important to know the description of
the normal temporomandibular joint in order to make comparisons with abnormal circumstances.