Admission Test for Dental Hygiene (ATDH) Practice

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Prepare for the Admission Test for Dental Hygiene (ATDH) with our comprehensive quiz. Enhance your knowledge with questions covering all exam sections. Each question includes detailed explanations to aid your understanding and readiness for the exam.

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Describe the function of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ).

Allows the jaw to move up and down and side to side for chewing and speaking
Facilitates the growth of new teeth
Helps in the absorption of nutrients from food
Connects the upper and lower jaw to enhance dental alignment

The correct answer is: Allows the jaw to move up and down and side to side for chewing and speaking

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) plays a crucial role in the movement of the jaw, facilitating actions necessary for chewing and speaking. This joint, located where the lower jaw (mandible) connects with the skull (temporal bone), allows for a range of motion, including both vertical movement (up and down) and horizontal movement (side to side). This ability enables effective mastication, which is essential for breaking down food, as well as speech articulation, as we rely on precise jaw movements to form sounds and words. Understanding the TMJ's function emphasizes its importance in daily activities, such as eating and communicating. Other options, like growth of new teeth, nutrient absorption, or dental alignment, do not accurately represent the TMJ's primary role, which centers on facilitating jaw movement rather than directly influencing these other aspects of oral health.