Temporomandibulaires

Temporomandibulaires is a term used in anatomy and clinical medicine to refer to the temporomandibular joints and the surrounding structures involved in jaw movement. In common usage it is closely associated with temporomandibular disorders (TMD), a heterogeneous group of conditions characterized by pain, restricted movement, or sounds in the jaw.

Anatomy and function: The temporomandibular joints pair the mandible with the temporal bone near the opening of the ear. Each joint consists of the mandibular condyle, the glenoid fossa and articular eminence of the temporal bone, an articular disc, a fibrous capsule, and supporting ligaments. The joint allows hinge action during opening and closing and gliding movements during chewing. The muscles of mastication, especially the masseter, temporalis, and pterygoids, control jaw movement.

Disorders and symptoms: TMD includes myofascial pain, disc displacement with or without reduction, degenerative joint disease, and inflammatory arthropathies. Common symptoms include facial or jaw pain, headaches, limited ability to open the mouth, jaw locking, and sounds such as clicking or popping during movement. Symptoms may be intermittent or chronic and can be influenced by stress, bruxism, or trauma.

Diagnosis and treatment: Diagnosis is primarily clinical, with imaging such as MRI to assess disc position or CT imaging for bone changes when needed. Treatment is usually conservative: patient education, soft diet, heat or ice, physical therapy, jaw exercises, occlusal splints or bite guards, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. In selected cases, injections, arthrocentesis, or arthroscopic procedures may be used. Surgery is rare and reserved for severe, refractory cases. Prognosis varies; many respond to conservative therapy, while others have persistent symptoms.