Inferior cavity of temporomandibular joint

The inferior cavity of the temporomandibular joint is the anatomical space located between the mandibular condyle and the inferior surface of the articular disc within the temporomandibular joint.

This compartment is separated from the superior cavity by the biconcave fibrocartilaginous articular disc. The inferior cavity is lined by synovial membrane and is responsible for permitting rotational (hinge) movements of the condyle during initial mouth opening, as opposed to the superior cavity, which allows translational (gliding) movements of the disc-condyle complex along the articular eminence.

Clinically, the inferior joint space is accessed for certain diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, such as arthroscopy and intra-articular injections, and is distinguished from the superior compartment by its anatomical boundaries and functional role in TMJ biomechanics.

The inferior cavity is smaller than the superior cavity and is bounded superiorly by the articular disc and inferiorly by the articular surface of the mandibular condyle.