TMJ

TMJ is the abbreviation for temporomandibular joint.  There are two. They connect your jaw to the skull. Each is the size of the tip of your pinky finger and is located less than an inch in front of the opening to the ear.  A very clear and precise anatomic landmark.

TMJ is also used to describe a wide variety of conditions or signs and symptoms in the head, face, jaw or neck.  This is not so clear. There is no single condition, diagnosis, or thing called TMJ. See section below, “Why being specific about TMJ is important.”