Articular disk of the jaw. Artwork of a side view of a human skull with the jaws closed, showing the articular disk (white) and other cartilage of the temporomandibular joint. This joint is where the lower jaw (mandible) articulates with the temporal bone of the cranium. The structure of this joint and its synovial membranes and its articular disk allows two movements of the joint. Firstly, rotational movement as the jaw is initially opened, and then translational (sliding) movement as the mouth is opened wider.