Rancho Mirage, CA 92270

"T M J" are the first letters of the three anatomic parts of the head.
T= Temporal bone (skull), M= Mandible (lower jaw), J= Joint (connects two bones together) and called temporo-mandibular-joint.
The TMJ is one of the most complex joints in the body. It is composed of a large group of delicate small muscles, nerves, blood vessels, ligaments, tendons, cartilage, disc, synovial fluid, retrodiscal tissue: each part works in harmony with other parts much like a symphony orchestra.
All body joints (neck, shoulder, back, hip, knee, wrist, elbow, ankle, finger) have hinge movement or circular movement or a combination of both. However, TMJ has not only hinge and circular movement, it also has a gliding movement, in and out of the socket (glenoid fossa): we call it "Ginglymoarthroidal joint".
The function of the TMJ is to hold the lower jaw to the head within a certain boundary, and guide the jaw movements for chewing, talking, singing, yawning, breathing, swallowing, keeping the airway open while sleeping, and maintaining body posture and balance, etc.
TMJ - Temporomandibular Joint, TMD- Temporomandibular Joint Disorder, Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction, Temporomandibular Joint Syndrome

TMJ, Head & Neck Pain Center would love to meet you and your family and provide you with the Sleep Apnea & TMJ care you need to give you the well being you deserve!