National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) Practice Exam

Which pairs of active mandible motions would be most beneficial to confirm temporomandibular dysfunction?

1. Elevation and protrusion

2. Elevation and retrusion

3. Protrusion and retrusion

4. Depression and elevation

The correct answer is: Depression and elevation

To confirm temporomandibular dysfunction (TMD), examining the active motions of the mandible is critical. Elevation and depression of the mandible are fundamental movements that help assess the joint's function. Elevation involves closing the mouth, while depression involves opening it. If there is dysfunction, these movements may be limited, painful, or asymmetrical, providing valuable diagnostic information. The other pairings, such as elevation with protrusion or retrusion, focus more on forward or backward movements rather than the essential opening and closing actions. While these movements can also reflect certain dysfunctions, they are not as directly indicative of the basic functionality of the mandible. Protrusion and retrusion specifically assess the anteroposterior motion and may not sufficiently highlight issues related to joint mechanics that elevation and depression clearly reveal. Thus, the combination of depression and elevation is particularly beneficial for a comprehensive assessment of TMD.