T M J is 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. 

TMJs are held together by a group of small muscles, nerves, blood vessels, ligaments, tendons, sympathetic fibers, and synovial fluid within a small joint socket.  All body joints (hip, knee, wrist, ankle, finger etc.) have either hinge movement or circular movement, or a combination of the two.  However, TMJ has not only hinge and circular movement, but also has a sliding movement, which moves in and out of the joint socket.  There are two TM joints in the mandible but they move as one piece. Thus, if one joint is injured or out of its joint socket, the other joint will usually become affected. 

These muscles and ligaments can be damaged and the disc (meniscus) can become displaced.  Like other joints of the body, the TM joints can experience similar diseases and injuries and are vulnerable to injuries.  If this delicate and sensitive joint complex receives constant distress, this can cause trauma and damage to the joint components, and eventually manifest various pain and dysfunctions to the whole body throuh the musculo-skeletal-nervous system.

The function of the TMJ is to hold the jaw and the head within a certain boundary, and guide the jaw movement in chewing, talking, singing, yawning, and swallowing etc.  It also keeps open the airway for breathing while you are asleep.  TMJ may be the most moving part in our body next to the heart and lung.  An average person moves the TM joint 2,000-2,500 times a day and, if someone likes to talk excessively or chew gum habitually, it may move 5,000 times or even 10,000 times a day.  Surprisingly, even with this much movement, the TM joints can function life-time if properly maintained and balanced.

TMJ is the least respected joint in the human body because of a lack of understanding of its mysterious influence to the body health and function, complex anatomical structure, complicated internal mechanical movements, and difficulty in correcting/treating/managing when it develops disoders and symptoms.