Temporomandibular Joint in Human Anatomy MCQ Questions and Answers
1. The temporomandibular joint is classified functionally as:
A) Hinge joint
B) Pivot joint
C) Modified hinge joint
D) Plane joint
Answer: C) Modified hinge joint
2. The articular surfaces of the TMJ are covered by:
A) Hyaline cartilage
B) Fibrocartilage
C) Elastic cartilage
D) White fibrocartilage
Answer: B) Fibrocartilage
3. The articular disc of the TMJ divides the joint cavity into:
A) One compartment
B) Two compartments
C) Three compartments
D) Four compartments
Answer: B) Two compartments
4. The upper compartment of TMJ allows mainly:
A) Hinge movement
B) Gliding (translation) movement
C) Rotation
D) Circumduction
Answer: B) Gliding (translation) movement
5. The lower compartment of the TMJ allows mainly:
A) Hinge (rotation) movement
B) Gliding movement
C) Circumduction
D) Protraction only
Answer: A) Hinge (rotation) movement
6. The articular disc of TMJ is made of:
A) Hyaline cartilage
B) Dense fibrous connective tissue
C) Elastic cartilage
D) Fibroelastic cartilage
Answer: B) Dense fibrous connective tissue
7. The TMJ is a joint between:
A) Temporal bone and zygomatic bone
B) Mandible and maxilla
C) Temporal bone and mandible
D) Zygomatic bone and mandible
Answer: C) Temporal bone and mandible
8. The mandibular fossa is located on which part of the temporal bone?
A) Squamous part
B) Mastoid part
C) Temporal (squamous) part anterior to the tympanic plate
D) Petrous part
Answer: C) Temporal (squamous) part anterior to the tympanic plate
9. The articular tubercle forms which boundary of the TMJ?
A) Posterior boundary
B) Lateral boundary
C) Medial boundary
D) Anterior boundary
Answer: D) Anterior boundary
10. The mandibular condyle articulates with which structure of the temporal bone?
A) Mastoid process
B) Styloid process
C) Mandibular fossa and articular tubercle
D) Tympanic plate
Answer: C) Mandibular fossa and articular tubercle
11. Which ligament of the TMJ strengthens the capsule laterally?
A) Stylomandibular ligament
B) Sphenomandibular ligament
C) Lateral temporomandibular ligament
D) Pterygomandibular raphe
Answer: C) Lateral temporomandibular ligament
12. The stylomandibular ligament is a thickened band of which fascia?
A) Masseteric fascia
B) Deep cervical fascia
C) Temporal fascia
D) Buccopharyngeal fascia
Answer: B) Deep cervical fascia
13. Which of the following ligaments limits excessive depression of the mandible?
A) Sphenomandibular ligament
B) Lateral temporomandibular ligament
C) Stylomandibular ligament
D) Medial ligament of TMJ
Answer: B) Lateral temporomandibular ligament
14. The sphenomandibular ligament extends from the spine of sphenoid to:
A) Condylar process
B) Coronoid process
C) Lingula of mandible
D) Angle of mandible
Answer: C) Lingula of mandible
15. The TMJ capsule attaches superiorly to:
A) Mastoid process
B) Margin of articular tubercle and mandibular fossa
C) Styloid process
D) External auditory meatus
Answer: B) Margin of articular tubercle and mandibular fossa
16. The TMJ capsule attaches inferiorly to:
A) Neck of condylar process
B) Neck of mandible
C) Coronoid process
D) Mandibular notch
Answer: B) Neck of mandible
17. The nerve supply of the TMJ is derived from:
A) Facial nerve
B) Glossopharyngeal nerve
C) Auriculotemporal nerve
D) Great auricular nerve
Answer: C) Auriculotemporal nerve
18. Additional sensory branches to TMJ may come from:
A) Masseteric and deep temporal nerves
B) Buccal and lingual nerves
C) Inferior alveolar nerve
D) Hypoglossal nerve
Answer: A) Masseteric and deep temporal nerves
19. The blood supply to the TMJ is mainly through branches of:
A) External carotid artery
B) Superficial temporal and maxillary arteries
C) Facial artery
D) Internal carotid artery
Answer: B) Superficial temporal and maxillary arteries
20. The venous drainage from the TMJ is primarily to:
A) Facial vein
B) Internal jugular vein
C) Pterygoid venous plexus
D) Retromandibular vein only
Answer: C) Pterygoid venous plexus
21. During depression of the mandible, the condyle moves:
A) Downward and forward
B) Upward and backward
C) Laterally
D) Medially
Answer: A) Downward and forward
22. Protrusion of the mandible is brought about mainly by:
A) Masseter
B) Lateral pterygoid muscle
C) Temporalis
D) Medial pterygoid
Answer: B) Lateral pterygoid muscle
23. Retraction of mandible is chiefly by:
A) Lateral pterygoid
B) Posterior fibers of temporalis
C) Medial pterygoid
D) Digastric
Answer: B) Posterior fibers of temporalis
24. Depression of mandible against resistance is assisted by:
A) Medial pterygoid
B) Buccinator
C) Digastric, geniohyoid, and mylohyoid muscles
D) Stylohyoid
Answer: C) Digastric, geniohyoid, and mylohyoid muscles
25. Lateral movements of the mandible are produced by:
A) Masseter alone
B) Alternate contraction of pterygoid muscles on each side
C) Temporalis alone
D) Buccinator
Answer: B) Alternate contraction of pterygoid muscles on each side
26. The temporomandibular joint develops from which type of joint during embryogenesis?
A) Primary cartilaginous joint
B) Fibrous joint
C) Secondary synovial joint
D) Syndesmosis
Answer: C) Secondary synovial joint
27. The TMJ starts developing around which week of intrauterine life?
A) 2nd week
B) 5th week
C) 8th week
D) 12th week
Answer: C) 8th week
28. The complete formation of TMJ occurs approximately by:
A) 20th week
B) 14th week of intrauterine life
C) 28th week
D) At birth
Answer: B) 14th week of intrauterine life
29. The joint cavity of the TMJ appears by:
A) 6th week
B) 8th week
C) 10th week
D) 12th week
Answer: C) 10th week
30. The TMJ develops from which branchial arch?
A) First (mandibular) arch
B) Second arch
C) Third arch
D) Fourth arch
Answer: A) First (mandibular) arch
31. The first indication of TMJ development appears as:
A) Condylar blastema
B) Temporal and condylar blastemas
C) Synovial lining
D) Mandibular canal
Answer: B) Temporal and condylar blastemas
32. The joint cavity in TMJ forms by:
A) Endochondral ossification
B) Cavitation within mesenchyme
C) Cartilage proliferation
D) Bone resorption
Answer: B) Cavitation within mesenchyme
33. Which of the following is not a true ligament of the TMJ?
A) Lateral ligament
B) Stylomandibular ligament
C) Sphenomandibular ligament
D) Capsular ligament
Answer: B) Stylomandibular ligament
34. The superior head of the lateral pterygoid muscle inserts into:
A) Neck of mandible
B) Articular capsule and disc
C) Coronoid process
D) Mandibular notch
Answer: B) Articular capsule and disc
35. The inferior head of lateral pterygoid inserts into:
A) Articular disc
B) Neck of mandible (pterygoid fovea)
C) Ramus of mandible
D) Temporal bone
Answer: B) Neck of mandible (pterygoid fovea)
36. During wide opening of the mouth, the condyle moves:
A) Anterior to the articular tubercle
B) Posterior to the articular tubercle
C) Within mandibular fossa
D) Below articular disc
Answer: A) Anterior to the articular tubercle
37. Dislocation of TMJ commonly occurs in which direction?
A) Posteriorly
B) Medially
C) Anteriorly
D) Laterally
Answer: C) Anteriorly
38. The main muscle responsible for anterior dislocation of TMJ is:
A) Masseter
B) Temporalis
C) Lateral pterygoid
D) Medial pterygoid
Answer: C) Lateral pterygoid
39. The TMJ articular disc is thickest at:
A) Anterior border
B) Posterior border
C) Intermediate zone
D) Medial margin
Answer: B) Posterior border
40. The articular disc is thinnest at:
A) Anterior border
B) Posterior border
C) Intermediate zone
D) Lateral margin
Answer: C) Intermediate zone
41. The retrodiscal tissue is also known as:
A) Fibrous capsule
B) Bilaminar zone
C) Synovial membrane
D) Articular eminence
Answer: B) Bilaminar zone
42. The posterior lamina of retrodiscal tissue is composed of:
A) Elastic fibers
B) Collagen fibers
C) Cartilage
D) Adipose tissue
Answer: A) Elastic fibers
43. The anterior lamina of retrodiscal tissue is composed mainly of:
A) Collagen fibers
B) Elastic fibers
C) Muscle tissue
D) Synovial cells
Answer: A) Collagen fibers
44. The upper lamina of bilaminar zone attaches to:
A) Neck of mandible
B) Lateral ligament
C) Squamotympanic fissure
D) Articular tubercle
Answer: C) Squamotympanic fissure
45. The lower lamina of bilaminar zone attaches to:
A) Temporal bone
B) Articular tubercle
C) Neck of mandible
D) Articular capsule
Answer: C) Neck of mandible
46. The TMJ articular capsule is thickest on which side?
A) Medial
B) Lateral
C) Posterior
D) Anterior
Answer: B) Lateral
47. Which of the following movements occurs first when the mouth opens?
A) Rotation in lower compartment
B) Translation in upper compartment
C) Lateral shift
D) Retraction
Answer: A) Rotation in lower compartment
48. The second phase of mouth opening involves:
A) Rotation
B) Translation of condyle forward and downward
C) Retraction
D) Elevation
Answer: B) Translation of condyle forward and downward
49. During closing of the mouth, the sequence of movement is:
A) Translation followed by rotation
B) Rotation followed by translation (reverse sequence)
C) Lateral shift only
D) Elevation without rotation
Answer: B) Rotation followed by translation (reverse sequence)
50. The fibrocartilage of TMJ helps in:
A) Enhancing bone growth
B) Withstanding compressive and shear forces
C) Increasing blood flow
D) Aiding in ossification
Answer: B) Withstanding compressive and shear forces
51. Which muscle attaches directly to the capsule and disc of the TMJ?
A) Medial pterygoid
B) Lateral pterygoid (superior head)
C) Temporalis
D) Masseter
Answer: B) Lateral pterygoid (superior head)
52. Which muscle acts as a stabilizer of TMJ during chewing?
A) Digastric
B) Masseter
C) Lateral pterygoid
D) Buccinator
Answer: B) Masseter
53. The articular disc of TMJ is primarily avascular in:
A) Anterior zone
B) Posterior zone
C) Intermediate zone
D) Margins
Answer: C) Intermediate zone
54. The articular disc receives its nutrition mainly from:
A) Middle meningeal artery
B) Synovial fluid diffusion
C) Deep auricular artery
D) Inferior alveolar artery
Answer: B) Synovial fluid diffusion
55. Which part of the disc is attached to the superior head of lateral pterygoid?
A) Posterior band
B) Anterior band
C) Intermediate zone
D) Medial margin
Answer: B) Anterior band
56. Which nerve carries proprioceptive fibers from TMJ?
A) Deep temporal nerve
B) Masseteric nerve
C) Auriculotemporal nerve
D) Buccal nerve
Answer: C) Auriculotemporal nerve
57. Which branch of the external carotid artery gives branches to TMJ?
A) Occipital artery
B) Facial artery
C) Maxillary and superficial temporal arteries
D) Lingual artery
Answer: C) Maxillary and superficial temporal arteries
58. In TMJ, the capsule is lined internally by:
A) Synovial membrane
B) Fibrocartilage
C) Collagen fibers
D) Elastic tissue
Answer: A) Synovial membrane
59. The synovial membrane of TMJ is present in:
A) Both upper and lower compartments
B) Only upper compartment
C) Only lower compartment
D) Around the disc only
Answer: A) Both upper and lower compartments
60. The synovial membrane is absent on:
A) Neck of mandible
B) Articular capsule
C) Articular surfaces covered by fibrocartilage
D) Retrodiscal tissue
Answer: C) Articular surfaces covered by fibrocartilage
61. The movement of translation occurs at which compartment?
A) Lower compartment
B) Upper compartment
C) Both equally
D) None
Answer: B) Upper compartment
62. The movement of rotation occurs in which compartment?
A) Lower compartment
B) Upper compartment
C) Both
D) Disc region
Answer: A) Lower compartment
63. The TMJ is derived embryologically from which blastema?
A) Meckel’s cartilage
B) Condylar and temporal blastemas
C) Reichert’s cartilage
D) Alar plate
Answer: B) Condylar and temporal blastemas
64. The articular disc receives innervation primarily at:
A) Periphery
B) Central region
C) Posterior band
D) Inferior surface
Answer: A) Periphery
65. Pain from TMJ can refer to which area via auriculotemporal nerve?
A) Tongue
B) External ear and temple region
C) Maxillary teeth
D) Palate
Answer: B) External ear and temple region
66. The main stabilizer of TMJ during elevation of mandible is:
A) Lateral ligament
B) Temporalis and masseter muscles
C) Sphenomandibular ligament
D) Articular capsule
Answer: B) Temporalis and masseter muscles
67. The TMJ allows which combination of movements?
A) Gliding only
B) Hinge only
C) Gliding and hinge
D) Pivot only
Answer: C) Gliding and hinge
68. During protrusion of mandible, both condyles:
A) Rotate
B) Move posteriorly
C) Move forward simultaneously
D) Move independently
Answer: C) Move forward simultaneously
69. During lateral movement to the right side, the left condyle:
A) Moves forward and medially
B) Moves backward
C) Stays stationary
D) Moves laterally
Answer: A) Moves forward and medially
70. During lateral movement to the right side, the right condyle:
A) Moves forward
B) Acts as pivot (rotation only)
C) Moves backward
D) Glides anteriorly
Answer: B) Acts as pivot (rotation only)
71. The most common symptom of TMJ disorder is:
A) Clicking or popping sound
B) Bleeding from mouth
C) Nasal obstruction
D) Trismus only
Answer: A) Clicking or popping sound
72. Pain in TMJ may be due to:
A) Hyperemia
B) Inflammation of retrodiscal tissue
C) Middle ear infection
D) Loss of disc attachment
Answer: B) Inflammation of retrodiscal tissue
73. The TMJ has how many synovial cavities in total?
A) One
B) Two
C) Three
D) Four
Answer: B) Two
74. Which part of the temporal bone contributes to the TMJ?
A) Petrous part
B) Tympanic part
C) Squamous part
D) Mastoid part
Answer: C) Squamous part
75. The mandibular condyle is directed:
A) Forward, upward, and medially
B) Downward and laterally
C) Backward and upward
D) Downward and medially
Answer: A) Forward, upward, and medially
76. The joint cavity of the TMJ is filled with:
A) Plasma
B) Synovial fluid
C) Lymph
D) Interstitial fluid
Answer: B) Synovial fluid
77. The TMJ is a type of:
A) Condylar joint
B) Ball and socket joint
C) Synovial modified hinge joint
D) Ellipsoidal joint
Answer: C) Synovial modified hinge joint
78. Which of the following muscles assists in elevation of the mandible?
A) Lateral pterygoid
B) Digastric
C) Masseter
D) Geniohyoid
Answer: C) Masseter
79. The TMJ is unique among synovial joints because:
A) It has one compartment
B) Its articular surfaces are covered by fibrocartilage instead of hyaline cartilage
C) It has no capsule
D) It allows only rotation
Answer: B) Its articular surfaces are covered by fibrocartilage instead of hyaline cartilage
80. Which ligament limits excessive anterior movement of the mandible?
A) Stylomandibular ligament
B) Sphenomandibular ligament
C) Lateral temporomandibular ligament
D) Pterygomandibular ligament
Answer: C) Lateral temporomandibular ligament
81. The TMJ articular disc attaches medially and laterally to:
A) Temporal bone
B) Capsular ligament
C) Mandibular fossa
D) Pterygoid muscle
Answer: B) Capsular ligament
82. The shape of mandibular condyle in the horizontal plane is:
A) Round
B) Oval
C) Square
D) Triangular
Answer: B) Oval
83. The mandibular condyle articulates with which structure of temporal bone?
A) Styloid process
B) Mastoid process
C) Articular tubercle and mandibular fossa
D) Squamous suture
Answer: C) Articular tubercle and mandibular fossa
84. Which muscle is responsible for retrusion of mandible?
A) Lateral pterygoid
B) Medial pterygoid
C) Posterior fibers of temporalis
D) Anterior fibers of temporalis
Answer: C) Posterior fibers of temporalis
85. The sphenomandibular ligament acts as a remnant of:
A) Meckel’s cartilage
B) Reichert’s cartilage
C) Second branchial arch cartilage
D) Otic capsule
Answer: A) Meckel’s cartilage
86. The TMJ is absent in:
A) Mammals
B) Birds
C) Amphibians
D) Humans
Answer: C) Amphibians
87. The postglenoid tubercle of the temporal bone lies:
A) Posterior to the mandibular fossa
B) Anterior to the articular tubercle
C) Below the articular eminence
D) Lateral to zygomatic arch
Answer: A) Posterior to the mandibular fossa
88. The articular capsule of the TMJ is lined by:
A) Fibroelastic tissue
B) Synovial membrane
C) Dense regular connective tissue
D) Elastic cartilage
Answer: B) Synovial membrane
89. The articular surfaces of TMJ are separated by:
A) Fat pad
B) Fibrocartilaginous disc
C) Ligamentous septum
D) Synovial fold
Answer: B) Fibrocartilaginous disc
90. The posterior part of the articular disc is attached to:
A) Articular tubercle
B) Retrodiscal tissue
C) Temporal fascia
D) Zygomatic arch
Answer: B) Retrodiscal tissue
91. The primary function of the articular disc is to:
A) Increase friction
B) Prevent joint lubrication
C) Distribute load and absorb shock
D) Restrict motion
Answer: C) Distribute load and absorb shock
92. Which type of synovial membrane lines the TMJ?
A) Serous
B) Fibrous
C) Areolar (loose connective tissue type)
D) Elastic
Answer: C) Areolar (loose connective tissue type)
93. The capsule of the TMJ attaches to the margin of which structure inferiorly?
A) Ramus of mandible
B) Neck of condyle
C) Coronoid process
D) Angle of mandible
Answer: B) Neck of condyle
94. The articular tubercle is also known as:
A) Articular eminence
B) Mandibular ridge
C) Glenoid crest
D) Zygomatic tubercle
Answer: A) Articular eminence
95. In resting position of the TMJ, the condyle lies:
A) Anterior to articular tubercle
B) In mandibular fossa, slightly posterior to articular eminence
C) On the articular tubercle
D) Below the disc
Answer: B) In mandibular fossa, slightly posterior to articular eminence
96. The joint that allows both hinge and gliding movements is termed as:
A) Pivot joint
B) Saddle joint
C) Ginglymoarthrodial joint
D) Condyloid joint
Answer: C) Ginglymoarthrodial joint
97. The blood supply of TMJ is mainly derived from which branch of external carotid artery?
A) Maxillary artery
B) Facial artery
C) Occipital artery
D) Lingual artery
Answer: A) Maxillary artery
98. The TMJ dislocation usually occurs when:
A) Mouth is closed tightly
B) Mouth is opened widely (yawning or laughing)
C) Jaw is retracted forcefully
D) Head is tilted backward
Answer: B) Mouth is opened widely (yawning or laughing)
99. The condylar movement during depression of mandible includes:
A) Rotation followed by translation
B) Translation followed by rotation
C) Retraction followed by rotation
D) Elevation followed by gliding
Answer: A) Rotation followed by translation
100. The TMJ allows the following combination of movements:
A) Rotation, elevation, abduction
B) Gliding, rotation, flexion
C) Depression, elevation, protrusion, retraction, and lateral movement
D) Rotation and extension only
Answer: C) Depression, elevation, protrusion, retraction, and lateral movement