What is the type of hinge and sliding joint found in the TMJ?

What is the type of hinge and sliding joint found in the TMJ?

• A. Ginglymoarthrodial
• B. Ginglymoid
• C. Arthrodial
• D. Trochoid

Answer: (A)

The TMJ moves with both rotation (hinge) and forward sliding (translation) of the condyle and disc along the articular eminence. Because it combines these two movements, the joint is described as ginglymoarthrodial—ginglymus for the hinge portion and arthrodial for the sliding portion. The disc between the condyle and temporal bone enables this two-phase action, with rotation in the inferior compartment and translation in the superior compartment. Other terms describe only one type of movement or a different mechanism, so they don’t fully capture how the TMJ works.

The TMJ moves with both rotation (hinge) and forward sliding (translation) of the condyle and disc along the articular eminence. Because it combines these two movements, the joint is described as ginglymoarthrodial—ginglymus for the hinge portion and arthrodial for the sliding portion. The disc between the condyle and temporal bone enables this two-phase action, with rotation in the inferior compartment and translation in the superior compartment. Other terms describe only one type of movement or a different mechanism, so they don’t fully capture how the TMJ works.