Temporomandibular joint pathology

This article is about all diseases which affect the temporomandibular joint. For the syndrome defined by pain and dysfunction of the temporomandibular joint, see temporomandibular disorder

This article discusses pathology of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). A range of disorders may affect the temporomandibular joint (the joints which connect the mandible to the skull). Examples are listed below in a surgical sieve format.

Congenital

• Aplasia of mandible or cranial bone
• Hypoplasia of mandible or cranial bone
• Hyperplasia of mandible or cranial bone
• Dysplasia abnormal tissue development

Acquired

Traumatic

• Mandibular dislocation
• Fracture
• Subluxation

Inflammatory

• Synovitis
• Capsulitis
• Myositis

Degenerative

• Osteoarthritis
• Rheumatoid arthritis

Idiopathic

• Temporomandibular disorder (TMD, also termed "temporomandibular joint pain-dysfunction syndrome") is pain and dysfunction of the TMJ and the muscles of mastication (the muscles that move the jaw). TMD does not fit neatly into any one etiologic category since the pathophysiology is poorly understood and it represents a range of distinct disorders with multifactorial etiology. TMD accounts for the majority of pathology of the TMJ, and it is the second most frequent cause of orofacial pain after dental pain (i.e. toothache).
• Fibromyalgia