Interactive anatomy

The muscles behind your jaw pain.

TMJ trouble is rarely just the joint. Six structures do the work of chewing, clenching, and holding your head up — and each can refer pain in its own way. Tap any point to see what it does and how it drives jaw pain.

Lateral view of the human skull showing the muscles of the jaw: temporalis, masseter, medial and lateral pterygoid, and the sternocleidomastoid of the neck.

Educational only — not medical advice or a diagnosis. If jaw pain is limiting your daily life, find a TMJ specialist near you.