The temporomandibular joint or TMJ connects the lower part of the jaw (the mandible) to the side of your head (temporal bone) and is responsible for it's wide range of movements; these include fowards, backwards, up, down and side to side.
and is responsible for it's wide range of movements; these include fowards, backwards, up, down and side to side. These movements allow everyday actions of the jaw that include speaking, eating, chewing and swallowing. Temporomandibular joint diseases can cause pain in the area of the jaw joint and associated muscles.