A small joint with a big name! (And sometimes even bigger problems!)

TMJ stands for temporomandibular joint and refers to one or both of the joints right below your ear that connects the lower jaw to your skull. It's one of the most complex and highly used joints in your body. You use it every time you bite, chew, swallow, speak or make facial expressions.

You can feel this joint by placing a finger on the triangular piece of cartilage on the front of the ear. Open your jaw all the way and shut it; you'll be able to feel the motion of this joint when you do so.

TMD, or temporomandibular joint disorder refers to any number of problems that can occur with the TMJ. They generally fall into one (or more) of three categories:

• Myofacial pain -
  This refers to pain and discomfort in the jaw that can extend to nerves and muscles in the face, neck and shoulders.
  
  
• Internal derangement of the joint -
  This refers to a displacement of the cartilage disc that cushions the joint itself
  
  
• Inflammatory joint disease falls into two categories:
  
• Arthritis: This is the commonly known inflammatory ailment and can affect the TMJ just as it can impact other joints in the body. Forms of arthritis include rheumatoid, degenerative or osteoarthritis and other less common forms.
  
  
• Synovitis: This is an inflammation of the membrane that lines the joint and produces a fluid that lubricates it