articulación / coyuntura temporomandibular
feminine
The English phrase 'temporomandibular joint' is translated into Spanish as articulación / coyuntura temporomandibular. If unsure, use articulación / coyuntura temporomandibular. Wiktionary also lists complejo articulario craneomandibular.
Meaning: the joint on either side of the human head where the jaw (mandible) meets the skull (at the temporal bone) (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| articulación / coyuntura temporomandibular | feminine | |
| complejo articulario craneomandibular | /komplexo aɾtikulaɾjo kɾaneomandibulaɾ/ (from spelling rules) | masculine |
This phrase refers to the joint on either side of the human head where the jaw meets the skull. In medical contexts, Spanish-speaking professionals may use the abbreviation ATM (articulación temporomandibular) much like English speakers use 'TMJ'.
Which one should you use?
While coyuntura can mean a joint, articulación is the standard medical and anatomical term used for the temporomandibular joint.
How does it change in a sentence?
Because articulación is a feminine noun, the definite article must be la rather than el.
Did you know?
- The word articulación shares an ancient root with the English word 'article', as both stem from the Latin idea of a 'joint' or a 'connected part'.
- While coyuntura refers to a physical joint, it is more commonly used in modern Spanish to describe a 'conjuncture' or a specific set of circumstances in politics and economics.
- If you are speaking to a dentist in a Spanish-speaking country, they might simply say el ATM instead of the full phrase, treating the acronym as a masculine noun.
Examples in context
- El paciente presenta dolor en la articulación temporomandibular.The patient has pain in the temporomandibular joint.
- La ATM puede verse afectada por diversos trastornos.The TMJ can be affected by various disorders.
- Tengo un problema con la articulación de la mandíbula.I have a problem with my jaw joint.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “temporomandibular joint” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries articulación, complejo, coyuntura, CC BY-SA 4.0.
