Tmj disorders a type of temporomandibular disorder or tmd can cause pain in your jaw joint and in the muscles that control jaw movement the exact cause of a persons tmj disorder is often difficult to determine your pain may be due to a combination of factors such as genetics arthritis or jaw injury. The temporomandibular joint tmj the temporomandibular joint tmj joins the lower jaw to the skull and controls its movements it is found just in front of the ear the joint itself is made up of two bones that are separated by a disc of cartilage ligaments and muscles surround the joint. Temporomandibular disorders are problems affecting the jaw joint and the muscles and other tissues around the jaw joint these disorders usually cause pain or reduced movement of the jaw and sometimes sounds such as clicking or grating of the jaw joint. Tmj syndrome symptoms the jaw joint tmj is located in front of and is attached to the ear canal when the joint becomes inflamed injured or stressed it can cause pain in the ear or face the discomfort is often an ache mixed with sudden sharp pains ear pain and fullness sore jaw muscles temple cheek pain jaw popping clicking