Lecturers/Educators/Presenters are welcome to use these animations.  They will play independently on PowerPoint 2000 (but not PowerPoint '97).
Simply right click on any animation and select "save as" to your computer.
Animated Tutorial of the Temporomandibular System
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The simultaneous combination of condylar rotation and translation
The mandible does not naturally open and close with a simple hinging motion. 

The red arrow (in the diagram to the right) represents the Digastric muscle's effect of mandibular depressing (opening).

The combinded efforts of the Digastrics and Lateral Pterygoids provide for natural jaw opening.
 
Due to the orientation of the Lateral Pterygoids and the oblique alignment of the condyles in relation to each other, contraction of the Lateral Pterygoids initiates an instantaneous translation of the condyles.  The slope of the
eminance provides for immediate mandibular depression and disclusion of the teeth.

Next:  Normal unilateral activity and effect of a Lateral Pterygoid muscle
1. Introduction of normal function versus parafunction
2. The simultaneous combination of condylar rotation and translation
3.  Normal unilateral activity and effect of a Lateral Pterygoid muscle
4.  Parafunctional clenching activity of the Temporalis
5.  How various occlusal schemes alter Temporalis clenching intensity
6.  The maximum clenching intensity occurs in the musculoskeletally stable position
7.  How "canine rise" serves to diffuse parafunction
8.  Working posterior interference causes non-working side joint strain during occluding
9.  Non-working posterior inference causes non-working side joint and disc strain and CLASS III complications
10. Comparing the NTI's occluding scheme with other occluding schemes.
11. How excess vertical dimension provided by the NTI can be straining to a joint
12. Clenching in a protrusive position can cause/perpetuate facial/sinus symptoms and cervical tension.
13. The  Parafunctional Nature of Articulators